2019 'not a good year' for Ghana boxing - Azumah Nelson

Legendary Ghanaian boxer, Azumah Nelson has described 2019 as ‘not a good year’ for Ghana boxing.

This year, Isaac Dogboe lost his IBF Bantamweight rematch to Mexican Emmanuel Naverette who secured a convincing 12 round victory over the Ghanaian.

Dogboe’s defeat came after IBF Lightweight boxer Richard Commey had beaten Russia’s Issa Chaniev to win his first world title.

Commey went ahead to successfully defend the title before shockingly losing it to American boxer Teifemo Lopez last week.

Offering his impression on how boxing has fared in the last 12 months, Azumah Nelson opined that it has been a disappointing year for Ghana boxing.

He however is optimistic that the coming year will be different.

“It was not too good but we are trying to make sure that 2020 will be better”.

Azumah also explained why the two boxers failed to defend their respective titles.

He suggested that most boxers after winning their first title often take their foot off the pedal and resort to certain lifestyles which affect their output.

Azumah noted that holding onto a title requires a great deal of commitment and discipline and thus advised Ghanaian boxers to commit to the perfection of their craft.

“To become a world champion is not difficult. It’s very easy because in boxing anything can happen. You can throw your hand and hit your opponent and he goes down and can’t get up. But how are you going to defend it? When you keep defending it then it means you are really a champion”, he said.

Azumah was speaking at the launch of the ‘Year of Return’ edition of the Azumah Nelson Fight Night.

In all, six fights have been billed for the event which is slated for December 27 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.



Below are the bouts

PBC Lightweight and Interim National Lightweight Title – Michael Ansah vs Benjamin Lamptey.

National and WABU Super Featherweight Title – Felix Ajom vs Michael Pappoe.

Super Middleweight contest – Ishmael Tetteh vs Delali Miledzi.

International Super Welterweight contest – Musa Lawson vs Naimou Samson Aziz.

International Super Lightweight contest – Faisal Abubaka vs Sossa Cudjo Hypolite.

Super Bantamweight contest – Manyo Plange vs Isaac Nettey.