International Hall of Fame Inductee, Azumah Nelson, has revealed how former President Jerry John Rawlings convinced him to ditch his dream of joining the Ghana Armed Forces and pursue a career in boxing.
Ahead of his 60th Birthday which falls on the 19th of July, the 3-time world champion has been reliving some major highlights of his illustrious career that saw him record 47 fights to ink his name in the history of professional boxing.
But that feat would not have been possible had it not been the vision of ex-President Rawlings who saw in a young Azumah a hugely talented but unrefined boxer who with the right guidance and training would develop to become a boxing icon. The former President who is well-known for his unflinching support and contribution to the development of boxing in the country spotted the young Azumah at an amateur bout and quickly took interest in the unassuming Azumah. He funded Azumah’s activities and was at some point Azumah’s manager
In interview with GhanaWeb, Azumah narrated how he crossed paths with his ‘idol’ Rawlings and how the former President dissuaded him from joining the military.
Describing him as a father, the boxing hall of famer stated that Rawlings is a ‘God-sent’ who came into his life to direct him on the steps he had to take on his journey to greatness.
“I wanted to be a military man but Rawlings said no. When we were amateurs he took care of us. He said that what he saw in me he doesn’t want me to be a military man so he didn’t allow me to join the force. Because of that I always thank him and pray for him every day. God passed through him to give me the advice not to join the military because if I had joined the military, my last position would have been a sergeant. Rawlings likes me and I like him too”, Azumah said