Joseph Agbeko has pledged to make a comeback from his defeat to Colombian-American Yohnny Perez. Agbeko, now 27-2, 22 Kos, lost on the scorecards of all three judges against Perez (now 20-0, 17 KOs), to also relinquish the IBF Bantamweight title he won two years ago. But the Ghanaian is ready to make a quick return from the setback. “I thank God because even though I lost I am a very happy man for the love Ghanaians have shown me. They were in their numbers at the airport and I must admit that I have been humbled but also motivated than ever. I promise Ghanaians that I will bring back the title soon,” Agbeko said at Monday’s press conference at the plush Silverbird Cinema in Accra.

Losing the fight rated by America’s top boxing connoisseurs as the best of the year, couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Ghanaian as it left his country with no world champion in the sport. Just this same time last year, Ghana boasted two world champs in Joshua Clottey and Agbeko himself. Roll on twelve months and both titlists hold their titles no more.

Agbeko who has returned home from his base in New York, refused to shift the blame for his first defeat since 2004 on the fact that he entered the ring not a fully fit boxer. King Kong was apparently breathing only through the nose when he squared up to the undefeated Perez on October 31. “It is only a loss and in sports we have wins and losses. This is just my second loss in 29 fights so I have accepted this as one of the losses of my career. Fans, promoters, IBF, everybody wants a rematch and I tell Perez that his reign as champion will not last long because King Kong is still in the business. Now I just have to work harder to win back the title,” Agbeko stated.

The Ghanaian pugilist had predicted a knock-out win ahead of the October 31 fight, raising post-fight accusations that Agbeko may have underrated the hard hitting Perez. But King Kong plays down the notion, pointing out: “I have never underrated any opponent in my career and I will never do that. Only that I’m confident whenever I enter the ring and it is just unfortunate that I lost. But it is also a useful lesson which will help me develop as a boxer.”

Optimum Media Prime (OMP) who managed Agbeko in the days leading to his capture of the world boxing crown, staged the press conference to honour the man they still support. OMP boss Ken Ashigbey congratulated Agbeko even in defeat and hailed King Kong a hero still worth celebrating. He urged Agbeko not to feel discouraged but rather view the loss to Perez as a stumbling block and stepping stone to greater heights. “It is a war and battles will be lost, so a battle has been lost but the war continues. Just rise up and get ready for the many battles ahead and we know you will be triumphant again,” Mr. Ashigbey heralded.

Meanwhile, Agbeko has reiterated his desire to help the youth rise above crime and poverty through his intended King Kong Entertainment company which will train and hone the skills of many youths in Ghana. Even though he is keen to help resuscitate boxing in the country and will place the sport’s development at the forefront of his company’s agenda, several other life skills and disciplines will also get inculcated. “I want to do my best to help the youth do what they can do best so that they will not find it difficult to get to the top like I suffered before I got to the top,” Jospeh King Kong Agbeko indicated.

Prince Dornu-Leiku

Email: princedornu@yahoo.com