Yahu Blackwell

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Yahu Blackwell
Osuman Lumor of Osu, Accra
Yahu Blackwell (Osu Noryaa Mantse).jpg
Personal details
BornNovember 22, 1986
Nationality Ghanaian American
Political party Republican
ResidenceAdu Kpono We
Alma mater Owings Mills High School
ProfessionBoxer and Entrepreneur

Jeroboam Yah Nii Armah Blackwell, [1] (born on November 22, 1986), also known as Yahu Blackwell, is an Ghanaian-American boxer and entrepreneur. He is the first Osuman Lumor of the Ga people of Osu within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, hailing from the 400-year Osu Ga Dangme African diaspora.

Contents

Early life and education

Yahu Blackwell is a descendant of the Gadangme Tribe in Ghana [2] Blackwell's direct lineage traces back to the royal descendants of the “Ankrah” Ga slaves who were taken from the Osu Castle [3] by the Portuguese and the Danish. His ancestors were forcibly transported from Osu Castle in Ghana to Virginia, USA. Ultimately settling in Northumberland County, Virginia, under slave master Joseph Blackwell. [4]

Career

His journey into boxing commenced at the age of 7, [5] where he engaged in 156 amateur bouts, culminating in victory as the South Atlantic champion.

Blackwell began his professional life as a police officer before turning professional in boxing. After being exposed to the sport by Baltimore County policeman Rodney Kenion, he launched himself into the boxing arena, [6] emulating his hero, American boxer Muhammad Ali.

In the International Boxing League, Blackwell is 15–0 with twelve knockouts. [7] Floyd Mayweather Sr, Freddie Roach, Roger Mayweather, Daniel Goodin, Derrick Crisco, Roberta Jalnaiz, and Coach Abel Gustavo are among the trainers he has worked with.

Blackwell in 2022 held the top ranking for the WBC, WBA and WBO heavyweight regional championship [8]

Blackwell has 184 fights in his amateur boxing history. [9] In welterweight competition, he recorded a 156–28 amateur record. In 2009, he was denied his professional debut due to severe dehydration and a broken hands.

In August 2025, Blackwell filed to run as a Republican in the 8th district of the Maryland Senate in the 2026 election, challenging Democratic incumbent Carl W. Jackson. [10]

Politics

In early August of 2025, Mr. Blackwell formally entered American politics as he filed to run as a Republican for the District 8 Senate seat in Baltimore County, Maryland. [11]

Achievements

Yahu Blackwell, [12] hails from the Osu enslaved Ayawaso Clans, [13] Ga-Adangbe Tribe in Ghana and the Kikuyu Anjiru Clan in Kenya, has been crowned as Osu Lumor "Divisional King At Large" by His Royal Majesty, HRM Norte Nii Nortey Owuo IV [14] of the Osu Empire.

But after extensive deliberations over the rightful ruler of the Osu throne, on February 11, 2024 [15] it has been concluded that Yahu Blackwell divisional stool will be installed under the perpetual rightful ruler (HRM) TeTeeTe Nii Nortey Owuo IV. [1]

He was enstooled as the first lineal development king in Osu [2] by His Royal Majesty to HRM TeTeeTe Nii Nortey Owuo IV [15] of the Osu Empire.

Personal life

Yahu Blackwell is married to Cindy Leta Adio, who hails from the Ewe and Asante tribes. Together, they have a son named Jeroboam Nii Ayi Amaa Blackwell. [16]

He was enstooled as a lineal development king in Osu in 2023 by His Royal Majesty (HRM) TeTeeTe Nii Nortey Owuo IV. [17]

References

  1. 1 2 "Yahu Blackwell enstooled by HRM TeTeeTe Nii Nortey Owuo IV of the Osu Monarchy". Business Insider Africa. February 21, 2024. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Yahu Blackwell the first Ghanaian from the diaspora to sit on the Lumoi Seat Of Power". Business Insider Africa. September 1, 2023. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  3. "The Christiansborg Castle, Osu". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  4. Hardy, Stella Pickett (1914). "Blackwell Family" (PDF). The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 22 (4): 438–441. JSTOR   4243393.
  5. DiMoro, Anthony (August 16, 2016). "The Arrival Of Yahu "Rock" Blackwell". HuffPost. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  6. McLaughlin, Corey (June 19, 2020). "Boxer Yahu Blackwell Is An All-Everything Businessman". Baltimore . Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  7. Lee, Alyssa (September 12, 2019). "Yahu Blackwell || Boxer, Business Man, & Future Politician". Hollywood Unlocked. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  8. "Yahu Blackwell gets ready for 2022". World Boxing Council. July 15, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  9. Sodiq, Abeeb Lekan (March 10, 2023). "Yahu Blackwell: the rise of a boxing icon, entrepreneur & philanthropist". TheAfricanDream. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  10. Jones, Natalie (August 6, 2025). "Professional boxer, business owner files for District 8 Senate seat" . The Capital . Capital Gazette. Archived from the original on August 7, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  11. "running for office". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
  12. Ibeh, Ifeanyi (September 9, 2023). "Yahu Blackwell Is History's First "Osu Chief" Since Capture Of Odofo From The Gold Coast". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved February 6, 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. "The Journey of HRH Yahu Blackwell: The Revival of the Royal Ayawaso Family | New York's Power 105.1 FM". The Breakfast Club. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  14. "The Coronation, Profile Of The New Osu Mantse, Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV". Peace FM Online. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  15. 1 2 "Osu Kingmakers Affirm Teteete Nii Owuo IV As New Osu Mantse". The Hawk Newspaper. February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  16. "Yahu Blackwell: First royal son of Adu Kpono We, vows to marry in Ghana". GhanaWeb. February 5, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  17. "Yahu Blackwell: "The Three World" boxer from the diaspora to be crowned Osu chief". Citi Sports Online. June 30, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2024.[ dead link ]