Ike "Bazooka" Quartey (born November 27, 1969 in Bukom, Ghana ) former WBC Welterweight boxing Champion from Ghana. November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1969 (MCMLXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1969 calendar). ...

Quartey entered boxing in 1988. He won the WBA Welterweight title on 4 June 1994 against Cristano Espana of Venezuela, with a KO in 11. He defended his title successfully seven times. Among his foes were Alberto Cortes and Oba Carr, who had managed to knock down Quartey's co-champion, Felix Trinidad. As well as Vince Phillips who would knockout Kostya Tszyu in his very next fight to win the IBF junior welterweight title. In october of 1997 he fought Jose Luis Lopez to a draw. The decision was originally read as a win for Quartey but reversed when a flaw was found in the scoring. Although Quartey was down twice, most observers felt that he deserved the victory and his reputation suffered little damage. Personal, business and health issues kept Quartey out of the ring until february of 1999. His inactivity led him to be stripped of his WBA belt, but he challenged WBC champion Oscar De La Hoya at the Thomas & Mack center in Las Vegas, Nevada. De La Hoya came away with a contraversial split decision. Quartey would remain inactive for the next year, eventually jumping up to the junior middleweight division to challenge then undefeated Fernando Vargas for his IBF title. Quartey would lose a unanimous decision. He would leave the ring for the next five years.

Quartey returned to the ring in January of 2005. He has picked up three wins in his comeback. He recently turned down an opportunity to face world titlist Roman Karmazin, citing that he still needed time to get back into top form. Barring a loss, he is expected to challenge for a title in 2006.

Quartey was known mainly for his "Bazooka" like jab. His jab was considered by most experts to be the best in all of boxing while he was in his prime. Quartey was relatively short and heavily muscled for a welterweight. He primarily relied a "peek-a-boo" or "clam-shell" defense, which consisted of him allowing punches to land on his arms, elbows and gloves which he kept held tightly to his cheeks and ribcage.

Ike Quartey is a member of Accra's Ga tribe. Ike is the youngest of 27 children. His father reportedly had five wives. His older brother Isaac won a silver medal in the 1960 Olympics.

Statistics

• Reach = 71"
• Height = 5' 8"
• Record as of April 2006: W 37 (31 ko's) | L 2 | D 1 | Total 40

External links

• Ike Quartey's Career Record