Former President Jerry John Rawlings has challenged the current World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Featherweight champion, Isaac Dogboe to take up the mantle left by boxing legend Barimah Azumah Nelson.

Dogbe, 21, defended his WBO Africa featherweight title successfully for the second time when he stopped Ugandan Africa Boxing Union (ABU) champion, Edward Kakembo by a knockout in the sixth round of their scheduled 12 rounds on Saturday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

After the fight, the former President, who was at the ringside and witnessed Dogbe reducing his opponent to a punching bag, said he was impressed with the Ghanaian boxer’s talent.

“Dogbe winning comes as no surprise to me, he could have stopped him earlier but understandably he had to give his Ugandan brother a little more time. Now this is just the beginning. Just as the heavyweight division very often belongs to the African-Americans because of their sizes, I have also known that the featherweight division belongs to Ghana,” the former president stated.

Rawlings charged Dogbe to follow the footsteps of his fellow countryman Azumah Nelson by continuing from where he left off.

“Dogbe now has the responsibility of carrying on from where Azumah Nelson left off. Let's give him all our support, give him good fights to ensure that he captures the world featherweight champion.”

The London-based Dogboe, in his response, said, he was ready for the challenge and will bring back the glory days of Ghana boxing.

“My Dad has had that vision, and that is the reason why I am still here today. So it takes another great man (Rawlings) to see that vision. With God all things are possible, and I definitely believe I am going to bring the title to Ghana,” the former Ghanaian Olympian said.

“Boxing is on the rise. We are back to the old glory days from today, he said.”