Ghanaian fighter Osumanu Akaba has hinted in an interview from his base in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that his decision to agree to face Edner Cherry on short-notice will not affect his chances of clinching a victory in the 10-round junior lightweight contest on Saturday night in South Philadelphia.

The 34-year-old Akaba, who has so far clinched 31 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw out of 38 bouts, agreed to replace Cherry’s original opponent Jerry Belmontes, who injured his right wrist in training last Thursday.

Osumanu Akaba, who lost his first fight in the USA against Bahodir Mamadjonov in August this year, is confident of his readiness for the bout, saying he had always been in the gym preparing for his next fight.

In an interview with Starr FM in Accra, Akaba said, “I have always been in the gym training so i am fired up for the task ahead despite the late notice”.