Ghana is spiritual home of boxing -Tony Weeks

Renowned American boxing referee, Tony Weeks, has described Ghana as the spiritual home of boxing.

He said Ghana is very famous because of the exploits of the past world champions, notably Azumah Nelson who ruled as world champion for over a decade.

“It’s good to be back home; this is our home, the place where the spirit of boxing can be found. Africa, especially Ghana is a big place and being here for the first time, I hope we all have a great time.”

Weeks said this in an interview with the Times Sports when he arrived in the country yesterday from the boxing capital of the United States of America, Las Vegas.

The stout-looking referee is in the country to officiate the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International super bantamweight championship between Ghanaian holder, Isaac Dogboe and Nicolas Javier Chacon from Argentina on Saturday, July 22 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

He was met on arrival by Dr. Donald Senanu Agomenu, a member of the Rising Star Africa Promotions team, Paul Dogboe, the Promoter, Yoofi Boham and other top Ghanaian boxing officials.

Prior to the fight, Weeks will conduct a boxing seminar for Ghanaian referees and officials at the plush Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel to share ideas and sharpen their skills.

Weeks told the Times Sports he feels very much at home and would be pleased to meet Azumah and other celebrated world champions that kept the flag of Ghana high with boxing.

“It’s great to be here in Ghana. It’s my first time but already I have the feeling it will be a memorable time. I love the people and I feel so much at home.”

“Refereeing in front of the passionate Ghanaian boxing fans will be a great honour. I can’t wait for the night to meet all these people to celebrate boxing – the sport that brings us together.”

The Argentine opponent, Chacon is expected to arrive tomorrow with his coach and technical men with Jack Danny Leigh, a supervisor of the WBO expected in the country on Wednesday.

Saturday’s showdown will be Dogboe’s first defense of the WBO International super bantamweight title he won in December 2016 in Auckland, New Zealand after defeating Julian Evaristo Aristule.

Dubbed the ‘The journey to Vegas’, the defense will be the final eliminator for the super bantamweight title which Dogboe aims at winning by the end of the year.

The Ghanaian is currently unbeaten in 16 fights with Chacon losing three from 25 outings.