Former President Jerry John Rawlings has congratulated boxer Isaac Dogboe for winning the WBO Interim Super Bantamweight title with a fifth round knockout of Mexican Cesar Juarez at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Saturday January 6.
Flt Lt Rawlings described Dogboe as a hungry boxer whose chances of clinching the world title are quite good but cautioned that the real test will come after he has won the title.
“What state of relaxation you end up in or whether you can maintain the same hungry outlook in order to maintain your title will be the real test. You can’t afford to lose it too quickly as it happened to a few others.
“Azumah was the only person who kept it for long and won the respect of not only Ghanaians but was one of the legendary fighters in the world. You have to take a cue. If you can’t beat (Azumah’s) record let’s hope you can keep it for as long as he did,” former President Rawlings said.
Mr. Rawlings also urged Dogboe to continue to maintain a disciplined lifestyle.
Former WBC World featherweight and Super featherweight champion, Azumah Nelson who joined the former President to welcome Dogboe commended the young boxer for his exploits and urged him to continue to work hard in his bid to attain the ultimate title.
Arguably Africa’s greatest boxer, Azumah said he was looking forward to a compatriot beating his championship record, which lasted for over ten years.
Earlier Dogboe presented the title belt he won to former President Rawlings and gave a strong indication that he was ready for the world titleholder, American-Mexican Jessie Magdaleno whom he sparred with during a brief stay in Las Vegas, California.
The WBO has scheduled the bout between the two fighters for March or April, 2018.
Present at the meeting where Dogboe’s dad and trainer, Paul Dogboe, Former Ghana Boxing Authority Vice-President Rabon Dodoo and businessman and Telecoms contractor Kennedy Agyepong, popularly known as Kenpong.
From Sammy Heywood Okine