Commey ready for world stage

History will be made on May 17 when two well-matched Ghanaian boxers face off against each other far away from home.

It’s Richard Oblitey Commey (17-0, 17 KOs) up against Benjamin Ashley (17-1, 14 KOs) for the vacant Commonwealth Lightweight championship; over 12 rounds at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.

“We’ve committed to raising Richard’s profile here in the UK for some time and this was the perfect opportunity to do so fighting for the Commonwealth title against a UK based fighter, but with that not happening, it gave us the opportunity of making a bit of history by having two Ghanaians fight for the title for the first time on British soil,” Commey’s UK based manager, Michael Amoo-Bediako told Allsports.com.gh exclusively.

Commey first became a mandatory challenger for the Commonwealth belt in July last year, but surprise winner of the title, Derry Matthews, endlessly avoided facing the unbeaten Ghanaian until the Commonwealth Boxing Council couldn’t take it any longer and stripped him of the title barely two months ago after he again chickened out of a March 7 date.

Amoo-Bediako is heaving a sigh of relief after Ashley was finally confirmed for May 17.

“We are all extremely relieved as it was looking like we weren't going to get anyone to fight Richard with most of the UK based lightweights avoiding Richard through one reason or another. We even offered a couple of U.S.A based fighters the chance, but they refused,” said Amoo-Bediako.

“Richard is promising fans not only a victory, but an impressive performance to showcase his talents to a broader audience,” he added.

The world title-chasing quest of Commey, already an IBF Intercontinental Lightweight titlist, is well planned and on course with a July 12 date already confirmed for his next fight after May 17.

“After this, we are committed to fighting for the IBF Intercontinental title in July and hopefully Streetwise Promotions will be putting on that fight in Accra, Ghana,” Amoo-Bediako confirmed.