Boxer Patrick Allotey says he regrets his actions after beating up a fan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The WBO Africa Super welterweight champion was captured in a video pummeling a the fan during Hearts of Oak versus Asante Kotoko Ghana Premier League clash.
According to the fan, whose name has been given as Michael Siaw, he did nothing to merit the punches.
“I didn’t even know he was a boxer, it was after the video went viral that I got to know,” he is quoted as having told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM
“Sincerely I did nothing to merit such an assault from him. I was only jubilating when Kotoko scored. He approached me to leave his presence and before I realized, he had me.”
He also revealed that he has reported the matter to the police but the boxer and his representatives have been begging for an amicable settlement.
“His manager and family members have been asking that I withdraw the case so we settle it amicably but I’m yet to meet my dad so we decide.”
In a statement, Allotey said he was ashamed of his actions and also apologised to the fan.
“Much as I can confirm that I am the one in the video, I wish to state that I am very ashamed of my actions as a professional boxer and truly regret my actions,” the statement said.
“I, therefore, take this opportunity to render an unqualified apology to Michael Siaw. I am mostly the reserved type who will hardly talk in public but this time around I don’t know what emotions came upon me. I am truly sorry”.
Below is the full statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
I REGRET MY ACTIONS AT THE ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM ON 26/01/2020
My attention has been drawn to a very disturbing video circulating on social media.
Much as I can confirm that I am the one in the video, I wish to state that I am very ashamed of my actions as a professional boxer and truly regret my actions. I, therefore, take this opportunity to render an unqualified apology to Michael Siaw. I am mostly the reserved type who will hardly talk in public but this time around I don’t know what emotions came upon me. I am truly sorry.
Myself, my team and some family members have further taken steps to reach out to ‘my brother’ Michael Siaw and his family and are deliberating on how to remedy the situation. It is rather unfortunate that a simple game of football can ignite such a passion in me to do what I did, but that is to say I am human and I admit so without feeling right about what I did. I wish to plead for everyone’s forgiveness and to reach out to my fans to join me in apologizing to all Ghanaians the rest of the world.
I have learned a very important lesson and will thus appeal to all Kotoko and Hearts supporters to be each other’s keeper. Let us see every game played between these two teams as a match where any of the teams can emerge victorious. The truth is, the losing team will definitely have a chance for a comeback anytime they meet next and that surely is the beauty of the game of football, boxing and sports in general.
I wish to also appeal to my management at Cabic Promotions & Management to forgive me for my unfortunate altercation. I, however, take full responsibility for my actions and wish to reach out to my fellow sportsmen and women out there to help me in righting the wrongs. #letsbringbackthelove
My name is Patrick Allotey, the Darling Boy Arrow and I wish to say I am very sorry for hitting Michael Siaw. I am here pleading for everyone’s forgiveness.
PATRICK ALLOTEY
The Darling Boy Arrow
