Ghana’s youngest World Champion, Isaac Dogboe has presented his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Super Bantamweight title to former President of the Republic of Ghana, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings.
Dogboe who last month defeated Mexican Jessie Magdaleno to become the new Super Bantamweight Champion paid a courtesy call on the former President at his residence in Accra on Wednesday.
Rawlings who has immensely contributed to the journey of Isaac Dogboe shared some pearls of wisdom with the new world champion imploring him to transcend to a higher level of discipline in order not to be swollen-headed about his new found fame and fortune.
“You need to move to a higher level of discipline, ask yourself how many years you want to hold on to the title,” Rawlings quizzed Dogboe.
He continued that, “Success is like winning power, it also has a way of corrupting you. You can easily adopt an attitude towards it and that is the danger.”
Rawlings further advised Team Dogboe to involve the legendary Azumah Nelson in everything they do and also expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for financially assisting Dogboe when he was in dire need.
In a humble demeanor, Isaac Dogboe vowed to uphold his discipline in the sport and also emphasized that the constant counsel by Rawlings helped him to win Ghana’s first title in eight years.
“I thank God for life and for being part of Team Dogboe and I keep hearing all the advice people say to me and to my father but what I will say that the same discipline that we started with and with my father by my side that is the same we will carry through because that is why I am where I am today,” Dogboe said.
The 23-year-old added that “Every time we come here we find a new level of strength and when we go into the ring we know that we have our ex-president behind us; so every time we come before you we know its strength for us.”
On his path, Paul Dogboe, trainer and father of Isaac Dogboe said “From the first day we met (Rawlings) you’ve supported Isaac and after you adopted us, anywhere we go doors are opened to us because they always refer to Isaac as Papa J’s son. It has been a success so far and we want to assure you that we will not let you down.”
Team Dogboe was accompanied by the President of the Ghana Boxing Authority Peter Zwennes, Dr. Donald Agumenu and other respected members from the Boxing fraternity.
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