…Marvelous Nana Yaw Konadu’s prayer
Former World boxing champion turned trainer Nana Yaw Konadu says he is imparting the experience he gained in the ring to some trainees under his care, and he is confident they will take after his likeness soon, Happy Sports understands. Konadu, who won World titles in two different weight divisions (WBC Super flyweight , WBA Bantamweight) however, expressed grave concern about the over concentration on football to the detriment of the sport.
He appealed to the powers that be to give boxing some attention taking into account the laurels the sport has brought to the nation. “The sport has been stagnant for sometime, and it will take a divine intervention like a lyricist (Grace Ashie) puts it to turn the fortunes of boxing. “Some of us have been complaining about the declining state of the sport, but it appears our voices are not loud enough to get to the ears of the authorities,” he added. Nana Yaw, after a sojourn in the US returned home, pursued a boxing coaching course at the CK Gyamfi Sports College in Winneba . He is currently based in Sunyani, his native land as the regional technical director. The former WBC champion, in an interview with Happy FM’s Charles Osei Asibey attributed his infamous loss to South Korean Sung Kil Moon to a malaria ailment he experienced few days to the bout and an injury at training. “I had to fight at all cost, my ailment notwithstanding because I was inexperienced at the time, and my manager was not there to direct me. The whites know nothing about malaria, so they did not understand my language, moreover, I thought there will not be another opportunity if I fail to avail myself for the fight,” said Konadu. He revealed that managerial problems with famous boxing promoter Don King compelled him his part ways with the American promoter.
Konadu 41 (KO 32) + lost 5 (KO 2) + drawn 1 = 47 turned pro in 1985 and in 1989 won the WBC Super Flyweight Title by winning a decision over Gilb erto Roman. He lost the belt in his first defense to Sung Kil Moon in 1990 and lost a rematch to Moon in 1991. He later moved up to Bantamweight and captured the WBA Bantamweight Title by TKO'ing Veeraphol Sahaprom in 1996. He again lost the belt in his first defense to Daorung Chuvatana later that year, but recaptured the belt the following year in a rematch. He defended the belt once before losing it to Johnny Tapia in 1998. He retired in 2001 after being TKO'd by Daniel Seda.
