There's only one Azumah Nelson

A visibly disappointed "elderly man" stormed out of Madison Square Garden (MSG), talking glowingly about "Azumah Nelson" to himself: "There's only one Azumah Nelson!"

This was soon after Ghanaian boxer Isaac Dogboe took a horrible beating from Mexican slugger, Emanuel Navarrete at the MSG's Hulu Theater in New York on December 8, 2018.

Reeling from Dogboe's loss after the fight with a journalist friend at the (7th Ave.) entrance to the MSG - the glowing praise: "There's only one Azumah Nelson," caught my ear....that cold December night.

Filled with intent curiosity, I sidled up to the "elderly man" to find out why he was hailing the legendary Ghanaian boxer, Azumah Nelson; who was nowhere around the MSG.

Undeterred by the bustle around the MSG, I put my best convo- starters to work:

ME: Excuse me Sir, I'm Dela....a journalist from Ghana. I overheard you praising the legendary Ghanaian boxer, Azumah Nelson: "There's only one Azumah Nelson." I'm just curious to know why...?

ELDERLY MAN: Wow! I'm Leon Muhammad, a "Boxing Hall of Famer" and trainer from New Jersey. I came all the way from Jersey to watch Dogboe. But I'm disappointed how he lost this fight. I was told he fights like Azumah Nelson. But I didn't see Azumah Nelson in Isaac Dogboe...he can't be like Azumah. Azumah is the greatest African boxer. "There's only one Azumah Nelson," he raved on with fierce pride in his eyes.

ME: As a great devotee of Azumah Nelson, I probed further. Do you know Azumah Nelson in person?

ELDERLY MAN (LEON MUHAMMAD): I know Azumah Nelson very well. We were together in the past. Just tell Azumah you met Leon Muhammad when you get back to Ghana. He will tell you more about me.

ME: The way you praise "Azumah Nelson" strikes a chord with me. Ghanaians will be immensely proud to hear this. How wonderful to meet you. Thanks for your time!

ELDERLY MAN (LEON MUHAMMAD): Sorry it's cold out here, we can't talk much. Nice meeting you Dela.

Just so you know: Leon Jenkins Muhammad, is a former boxing trainer and manager based in Newark, New Jersey, USA. He's a member of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. Served as advisor to eight world champions, including heavyweight legend's Michael Spinks and Muhammad Ali. He has also worked as a matchmaker for several top promoters including Don King and Top Rank. After a boxing career spanning over 40 years, Leon Muhammad is still active in the business of professional boxing.

Whereas, Azumah Nelson aged 66, is a former boxer from Ghana and one of the best of his time. He's so revered and widely regarded as the greatest African boxer of all time.

He was a two-weight world champion, (WBC featherweight title) and (WBC super -featherweight title), with a career spanning 29 years (1979- 2008).

Dela Ahiawor (Madison Square Garden New York City, USA)