The most fulfilling aspects of being a champion athlete are the privileges that come with the space and Ghana’s first boxing world champion, D.K. Poison who assumed iconic status in 1975 for winning the WBC featherweight title.

D.K. Poison was served his first glass of champagne by then Head of State of Ghana, Gen I.K. Acheampong at a special reception upon his arrival in Accra, with the title he had snatched from Mexican Reuben Olivares.

D.K. Poison had a carnival welcome at the Kotoka International Airport with many others lined the streets to show their appreciation for the glory he had brought the nation and the joy he had brought them. 

This was after he had been decorated with the Grand Medal of the Republic of Ghana, one of the nation’s highest honours, on the tarmac.

He sat on one couch with the head of state and had a conversation – one very great privilege his new status had earned him.

“Yes I sat with the Head of state and it was the first time I had champagne. It was the first time in my life and it was great. I really enjoyed it. It wasn’t like beer, it wasn’t like wine, I was in between. It was pleasant,” he fondly recollected.

He was now a celebrity and had to deal with the demands of public life. “It was hectic for me because anytime I went somewhere crowds gathered. I don’t know how to describe the feeling,” he said.

His welcome at the airport is something he describes as mixed feelings.

“Tears flowed down my eyes when I saw the crowd.  The only crowd I could compare it to was when General Kotoka died. People lined up from the cathedral to the Osu Cemetery. But mine was exceptional.”

The champion recollected that the crowd that greeted his arrival was all the way from the Airport through Golden Tulip Hotel, past Accra Girls Senior High School (at least 4 km).

These accounts are part of highlights of D.K. Poison’s documentary The Boxing Loan which will be aired on the Joy News channel (DSTV 421 and free-to-air) ahead of the commemoration of his 45th anniversary of annexing the title which falls on September 20.