Boxing News of Saturday, 28 December 2013

Source: Prince Dornu-Leiku

Commey stops Ofotsu to claim ABU Lightweight title

World title chasing Ghanaian, Richard Oblitey Commey maintained his 100% win and 100% knockout record with a round 8 technical stoppage of compatriot Prince Ofotsu to become the new Africa Boxing Union (ABU) Lightweight champion on Boxing Day in Accra.

Commey who improves to 17-0, 17 KOs, dominated throughout the fight and floored the experienced Ofotsu countless times before Ofotsu’s corner decided enough was enough and failed to respond to the bell for round 8, anointing Commey as the new Africa Lightweight king.

But for the boxer managed and promoted by UK based Michael Amoo-Bediako and his Streetwise Promotions, it was business as usual as he marches relentlessly on in his pursuit of world championship glory. Next up on the horizon is the Commonwealth Lightweight championship against Derry Matthews in the UK on March 7, 2014.

“I knew coming into the fight that he was more experienced than me so I really put everything in and came all out. When the fight was stopped, I was just warming up. There is no resting now, I get back to training just Monday. You know the Commonwealth title is next and I start preparations immediately,” Richie Commey told www.sportsinghana.com at ringside just after the fight.

For Michael Amoo-Bediako, staging such a big fight in the Ghanaian capital was a statement that Ghana boxing is ready to once again rise up unto the international arena and producing more world beaters to follow in the footsteps of legends Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and Joshua Clottey.

“It’s been a long time since we had quality promotion in Ghana. We are here to change the terrain and produce world champions,” Mr. Amoo-Bediako said in the ring just before the fight.