David Kotei

David Kotei is the richest Ghanaian athlete, with an estimated net worth of $500,000 (estimated).

D.K. Poison became Ghana's first world boxing champion on 20 September 1975, beating Rubén Olivares on a split decision over 15 rounds at The Forum in Inglewood, California, for the WBC featherweight title.

Bukom fighter

David Kotei was born in Accra (his birth date is usually given as 7 December 1950) and learned to box in Bukom, the Accra neighbourhood that also produced Roy Ankrah, Azuma Nelson and Ike Quartey. Under trainer Attuquaye Clottey he turned professional on 5 February 1966, winning a six-round decision, and became national featherweight champion that year. Apart from one fight in Togo, he boxed only at home until 1972, when he had seven bouts in Australia and won five.

Titles

He knocked out Tahar Ben Hassen in the first round in Tunis on 2 February 1974 to win the African title, and stopped Britain's Evan Armstrong in the 10th on 7 December 1974 for the Commonwealth crown. He gave up both after the Olivares win, and the government gave him a house at Teshie-Nungua. He made two successful defences before Danny "Little Red" Lopez beat him on points in Accra on 6 November 1976. He could not regain a title in 1978 and had his final fight, an African lightweight title loss, in 1989.

Later life

In retirement he has lived quietly, through marriage and money troubles, and has complained about how his purses were handled. He has three daughters.