Ghana needs good boxing trainers – Frederick Lawson

Former world title contender, Frederick Lawson (25-1, 20 KO’s), says for Ghana to take their boxers to the next level the nation must get good trainers.

Lawson currently based in New York was previously trained by famed trainer Abel Sanchez before switching to Ghana’s Kwame Asante, who guided Joshua Clottey to clinch the IBF World welterweight belt.

However, talking about Ghana boxing, Lawson has revealed what the nation must do before getting to the next level.

“The biggest difference is that Ghana doesn’t have the same training facilities as they do here. Second is the boxing trainers. Here in the U.S., the trainers teach. In Ghana, they just tell you to do it and they are all about power and strength. Here, you’ll learn that, besides power, you must use your eyes, and your mind, your ears…everything. In Ghana, everyone thinks they are a coach. It’s sad,” Lawson told BoxingAfrica.com.

“The boxers themselves must also pass through the regimen of boxing. Fight in the juveniles, go to the amateurs, then the national team, travel and get experience and exposure before you turn professional.

The boxer must crawl through this before they stand as a professional. If they don’t and they reach the big stage, you will find yourself in the ring experiencing things you have never seen before. There is no magic punch in boxing. So, we should build our fighters wisely.”

Before a boxer get to the top he must be mentally strong but regarding Ghanaian fighters, Lawson said:

“It’s really about your mind and how strong you are mentally. Unfortunately, not too many Ghanaian fighters have that mindset. Richard Commey is here with me—he has that mindset. Same for Duke Micah and Isaac Dogboe. There is talent in Ghana. Thank God Azumah Nelson has a promotional company now. He understands what it takes and he is doing good things over there.”

The Ghanaian suffered his first pro loss in November 2015 to Kevin Bizier in an IBF welterweight title eliminator after he suffered a broken jaw – he ended his 15-month layoff last March in Ghana with a decision over Sakima Mullings to win the vacant WBC international silver welterweight belt.

Lawson recently signed with Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Sports and Entertainment.