*Ghana’s Ishmael Tetteh has promised to defeat 34 year old Puerto Rican Carlos Quintana when he faces the former world champion in a Junior Middleweight non-title fight at the Coliseo Pachin Vicens, Ponce, Puerto Rico on February 18. *
Tetteh, popularly called Black Roy Jones Jnr says he expects a world title chance within the next twelve months, the reason why he is taking no chances with the opportunity to enhance his credentials and also announce himself to the world of boxing.
“It’s not a tough fight, it’s a small fight for me. I want to tell them that I am coming to win so they should watch out for me. I want to be world champion by next year so I am ready to beat Quintana and anybody else,” the Ghanaian has started talking tough.
Aside home advantage in faraway Puerto Rico, the experience of Quintana cannot be overemphasized, the 32 year old only four months ago lost a unanimous decision in a WBC Welterweight world title bid against Andre Berto. He also once held the WBO Welterweight belt in 2008 added to the fight record of 27-3 (21 KOs). But Ishmael Tetteh does not want to hear any of this.
He counts previous fights in Russia for the WBC International Youth title and in South Africa against former WBC International Welterweight champ Macarainge among the credentials he has garnered over the years to match up Quitana. “No problem with the experience he has, the ring will decide. I don’t like to talk with my mouth but my hands,” says Tetteh, 21-6-1 (10 KOs).
Backing the boxer for success is his trainer Samuel Odartei Lamptey as well as manager Abubakari Issah. The coach and manager are so confident they have supervised an efficient training and preparation so much, they are assuring victory for Ghana.
“Definitely we will win because I’ve given him much training, the notice for the fight was short but it’s a big fight and we are ready for the challenge. I promise Ghanaians that we will raise the flag of Ghana higher and tell our fans that we will soon bring a world title like Joseph King Kong Agbeko and Joseph Laryea did,” Coach Odartei Lamptey stated.
For Manager Abubakari Issah, there can be no doubt on the strength and abilities of his boxer. “By all means he will return a winner. I’ve seen his training and how serious and aggressive he is so I have confidence in him. He is a good boxer so Ghanaians should pray for him and we promise he will bring glory to the nation,” Mr. Issah said of Ishmael Tetteh.