Agbeko makes US debut on August 26

Accra, July 23, GNA -- Joseph 'King Kong' Agbeko, Ghana's steel fisted bantamweight boxer will make a US debut on August 26 when he mounts the ring in Las Vegas against Vernie Torres of the Philippines at the Oxnard Performing Arts Centre.

The fight, which is being packaged by "Bring It On Promotions" will have two other Ghanaian boxers, Ben 'Congo Soldier' Ankrah and Samuel Amoako on the bill.

Going into the fight with a record of 23-1-0 (20 KOS) the former Commonwealth and African Boxing Union (ABU) bantamweight champion has vowed to end the fight early in order to catch the attention of big wig promoters in the US.


'I have being looking for this kind of opportunity to show Americans the stuff I am made of. The time has come for me to prove my point and I pity Vernie for being my first opponent in the US.


'I will carry my own judges to the fight by knocking Vernie out early to announce my arrival,' Agbeko said.


He said he was hungrier now than ever because his progress had been scuttled by managerial ineptitude that had kept him out of the ring for almost two years.

The former World Boxing Federation (WBF) champion said he had been training very hard and was in excellent shape despite the long period of inactivity.


"As a boxer with world championship ambition, I keep busy in the gym every time even if I don't have fights, so ring rustiness is out of the question."


He said he was not bothered by the southpaw stance of 32 year old Vernie who has fought 34 times, winning 27; 15 by way of knock out and losing seven.

Agbeko called on his fans to pray for him and prepare to celebrate his triumphal entry to American boxing.


In the under card, 'Congo Soldier' will fight 20 year old undefeated American lightweight, Branden Rios who has won all his 11 fights; nine via the short route , while Samuel Amoako will slugs it out with another American, Dominic Nunez Coca also in the lightweight class. Contracts for the fights were signed on July 12 between Rene Carranco Sr for the promoters and Napoleon Lion who represented the boxers.