Wonder down but not out

ONE month after failing to dislodge Kostya Tszyu from the summit of boxing?s 140-pounders, Ghana?s Ben Wonder Tackie is back in the gym, eyeing a re-match. Tackie resumed training at the Liberty Club Complex at Dansoman last week and urged his fans to exercise patience until he brings them one of the biggest return stories in world boxing before the year ends.

Towards that goal, Tackie will appear on an America Presents programme in Las Vegas next month for a 10-round warm-up context before taking on the WBO super lightweight champion ahead of a re-match with Kostya Tszyu.

Speaking to the Graphic Sports at his home, he recounted last month?s defeat that evidently and understandably remains at the forefront of his mind. After all it was a particularly cruel one; with the allotted 12 rounds going full distance and Tackie putting up a more than adequate fight-back.

But the judges agreed that it was the 32 year old Russian-born Australian Tszyu who deserved to walk away with all three of his title belts, the WBC, WBA and IBF super lightweight titles still intact.

Tackie, who had been striving for years for that occasion is by no means bitter, but having had time to reflect is instead philosophical about the way that fateful evening went.

When asked for his thoughts on what was to blame for the loss, he inferred: ?after the fight as a human being I felt very disturbed about the decision. But somewhere along the line as a sportsman you have to realise that in every sport, in every game, there are three outcomes; win, lose or draw. And also that there will always be ups and downs.

?Today you may go in for a fight and come out as a loser but it by no means indicates that you are out of the competition for good?.

The talented 28 year old went on to add: ?I did what I was supposed to do but that was not enough on the day?.

Tackie also implied that the presiding reason behind Tszyu proving superior on that occasion was the element of surprise as he had been preparing for the fight on the basis that Tszyu had a rigid style, but this was something to which he failed to conform when defending his title against the spirited Ghanaian.

?I prepared fully for him, but expected him to come and fight like a man, as I knew that was the way he fights. But all of a sudden in the ring he started running, playing tricks and hide and seek.?

It is unequivocal that Tackie believes he is more than capable of defeating the experienced Tszyu to wear the ultimate crown if he is given the opportunity of a re-match.

?I don?t want him to move from the weight now because he always says he is the best in that division and I would like him to give me another chance. I will prove to the whole world that he is not the best, but I am the best. Because this time I expect him to come and fight in such a way that everyone can enjoy the money paid for the fight. I know by the way he is talking that he is a man who can stand and fight, and it is time to give the public what they want?. Having laid down the gauntlet for Tszyu, Wonder ended with an upbeat message epitomising his unwavering confidence in his own ability;

?My fans can forget about what happened in the last fight. I have the confidence and the courage, and so next time I will bring the title. We have a lot of things ahead of us that we are striving to achieve, so I?m reassuring them that they should never lose hope and always count on me, and I will deliver the goods for them.?

His trainers ? Oko Odamtten and Charles Tackie-Commey, alias Ras ? are in full agreement.