Uganda's Kassim Ouma is Africa's only current world boxing champion

On 30 October 1974, the eyes of the boxing world were on Africa and the legendary 'Rumble in the Jungle' clash between American heavyweights Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa.

Thirty years on, few boxing fans are turning their attentions to Africa - a continent which boasts just one recognised world champion at present, Ugandan light middleweight champion Kassim 'The Dream' Ouma.

This is in direct contrast to the days when boxers such as Nigerian middleweight Dick Tiger, Uganda's John Mugabi and the Ghanaian welterweight Ike Quartey were winning world titles across the globe.

BBC Fast Track is asking:

Is there a crisis in African boxing?

Why are we not seeing a new generation of African boxers stepping into the shoes of legends such as Ghana's former world featherweight champion Azumah Nelson?

What can be done to improve boxing on the continent?

Join the debate this Friday 29 October at 1630 GMT and 1830 GMT.

Use the form on the right to send BBC Fast Track your views.

If you would like to take part in the discussion, e-mail us with your telephone number, which will not be published.

One simple word - poverty - spells the doom of boxing in the African continent. African boxers lead a horse's life. Most, if not all, African boxers hail from the poorest of the communities in the city suburbs. With the high demands of daily lives, this means boxers cannot concentrate on this demanding sport. Poverty also explains the poor funding and this is why very few African boxers get exposure in tournaments like the World Championships. Uganda was on top in Africa and third in the World in the 1970s but has never featured anywhere in top AIBA competitions for the last 30 years. For all these reasons, I firmly attest that Africa has been left far behind in this age. This is because even basics like computer scoring system are strange in the continent.
Samson Opus, Kampala, Uganda

I definitely think there is a major crisis in African boxing, considering the fact that Africa has produced legends such as the great Dick Tiger of Nigeria, not to forget Azumah Nelson of Ghana. The problem has to be solved from the grass roots as governments are not investing in boxing academies to encourage youths.
Pius Koshoni, London, England

Just like in every facet of life in Africa, nothing is spare of crisis - not even boxing. This is not for the lack of talent, because we have it in abundance in Africa. Perhaps the problems lie with the continent's sport leaders, because - like all our leaders - they lack the dynamism and vision for proper planning and careful management. It is a shame that we have an African Boxing Confederation that is useless in everyway. Ours is a story of a strong continent that always becomes poor.
Oluwole Pitan, Florida, USA

The political crisis in Africa has made a big influence in the continent. There is a lot that needs to be done to create a new generation of boxers in Africa.
Dawit Lemma, Boston, U.S.A

While the nations of other continents of the world create jobs and wealth for thousands of their citizens by allowing and encouraging private sector control of sports, African governments continue to meddle in this sector. As long as the climate remains unconducive for private sector participation in sports, we shall continue to remain stagnant.
Dr Bernard Ogon, Boston

The game is eluding Africans because of a lack of sponsors and support from the government and private sectors. If it is not football, then forget it.
Igbudu, Nigeria.

African governments do not see boxing as an important game, and never encourage nor support it at all.
Peter Tuach, USA

Boxing is a sport that requires natural stamina and skills that can be learnt in gymnasiums. Africa does not have adequate gyms for new boxers. More funding is required if we want Africans to once again dominate in the boxing world.
Debela, Washington, DC USA

I think boxing has lost its appeal globally and not only in Africa. African kids these days are no longer interested in boxing. They just want to play professional football.
Jason, Liverpool, England

I am at a loss to understand why people are always quick to assume the worst for Africa. A word in your headline underscores my concern - "crisis"? Africa has had world champions over the years. If today we have one champion, there may be positive reasons for this, such as the pursuit of other sporting interests beside boxing. To unravel why we have only one African boxing champion today, a headline such as - "Are Africans choosing other pursuits other than boxing"? - would have been more appropriate. But why am I not surprised? Afro-pessimists will stop at nothing to cast subtle slurs on Mother Africa.
Adu Gyimah, a Ghanaian in the USA

Africa has a lot of talents, but we have not invested in them. I have seen a lot of extremely strong men in Africa who are above the strength of normal humans but they never grew up in Philadelphia, New York or London where their strength and skills can be developed. If you have talent, you are in the right place and you have the right people to support you, you will excel.
Gbezohn Yugai, Monrovia, Liberia

What domain in Africa is not facing crisis? Every domain, in most African countries, is facing the harsh impact of poverty and underdevelopment. If Africa is the only continent that has not known any economic growth for several decades, how do we expect her to keep up with the reputations of its great men and heroes of the past? In the face of hunger, Aids and war, I think boxing, and even playing sports, is the least of concerns in the minds of the average African. Even those that venture in the field are never encouraged by the government or by the people. Individual sports as a whole in Africa are suffering. With a clear conscience, a boxer in need of sponsorship will not ask much from a government that cannot even afford to provide portable drinking water for its people. Let us work to develop Africa, and a renewed interest in boxing and other sports will be a necessary consequence. Sport is a sublime expression of human freedom.
Michel Tchoumbou, Cameroonian in Italy