It’s been 18 years since he adopted boxing as a career but Jessie Plange is yet to fulfill his dream of becoming a world champion. At 32 years, his chances of conquering the world are limited but Plange won’t give up.
In January, Manyo Plange destroyed Nigeria’s Sherif Kareem in four rounds to win the vacant West African Boxing Union super flyweight title. The win was good to get him rated by the World Boxing Association (WBA).
He is currently rated sixth by the WBA in the bantamweight division. A position which puts him in position for a world title shot. Manyo Plange had fought Michael Dasmarinas in Singapore in 2018, Emmanuel Otoo and Edward Kambasa in 2019 before beating Kareem this year.
It was the fight against Dasmarinas which attracted so many plaudits from Singapore. The bout ended in a split draw but Plange’s performance could not be downplayed.
“So many people in Singapore wanted to work with me after my fight with Dasmarinas. They were impressed with my output on the night and it was a great feeling,” Plange told Graphic Sports.
“The promoters of the fight sent me a proposal to sign with them but I couldn’t because I was contracted to others. I am still in touch with them till date.”
Despite taking long to get to this stage in his career, Plange is hopeful the path to glory is not far from him. In his view, it is just a matter of hard work and commitment to reach his destination.
Finding love in boxing
Manyo Plange had gone to watch a bout involving Anyetei Laryea and Alfred Tetteh in 2001 at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex in Accra when he decided to adopt the fistic sport.
It was the euphoria surrounding the bout which got the 13-year boy at the time to leave home to catch a glimpse of the bout. Plange became interested in the sport and that was where his boxing journey begun.
“I used to live around North Kaneshie very close to Azumah Nelson Complex so I usually went there to play table tennis.
The fight between Anyetei Laryea and Alfred Tetteh was approaching and everyone was talking about it,” he recounted
“I decided to watch that bout and after the fight, I walked into Fit Square Gym at Kokomlemle to train as a boxer and that was how my boxing life started.”
As a very young boy at the time, he was asked by the lead trainer at the gym, Lartekwei Lartey, whether he was ready to box considering his height and stature.
Coach Lartey had time for him from the very start. He realised from the very beginning that Plange was prepared and ready to take punishments from his peers in the gym.
“When he walked up to me to train him, I was surprised because he was very young and smallish. I asked him whether he had any problem with his head and stomach and he said no.”
“I started training him and from the very start, he was trying hard to beat his mates at training and that really motivated me to get time for him.”
After several training sessions, Plange started his amateur career with impressive performances at regional and national championships. He got the chance to be in the national amateur team, Black Bombers, where he had so much success.
In 2006, he was part of Ghana’s Commonwealth team in Australia. Two years later, he featured for the Black Bombers at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. He won silver at the African Games in 2007 as well as three gold medals from African championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Plange decided to turn professional at age 24 and won his first 17 bouts with 15 knockouts from 2012 to 2018. He started to gain prominence as a boxing prospect in the country.
“Turning professional made me competitive and changed my mentality as a boxer. At the professional stage, you always have to win to be able to get a shot at a world title.”
However, so many challenges set in and delayed his rise to the world stage.
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Career decline
Manyo Plange was expected to rise quickly to clinch a world title when he turned professional. The stakes were high for him but his career took a nosedive along the line.
A managerial contract signed with Jacob Zwennes of US-based Errol Hawk Management went bad and that was the beginning of his problems. Up till date, the problem is still being ironed out.
“So many things prevent boxers from making it and managerial issues are part. I had issues with my management and that really hindered my progress as a fighter.”
“As it stands now, we are still in the process of putting an end to the fracas so I can have the peace of mind to concentrate on my career.”
The issues prevented him from signing so many deals, including fights. He was, however, full of praise for the support he had from Jacob Zwennes and hopes the issues could be ironed out soon.
“He has done so much for me in my career and I really appreciate it. I just pray everything goes as planned in the coming years.”
Bright future
Having always prayed of adding his name to Ghana’s boxing history, Manyo Plange feels the time is ripe for him to realise that dream. He is currently lacing his gloves for a possible world title shot by next year.
He has been eyeing the WBA bantamweight title which is being held by the hard-hitting Cuban, Guillermo Rigondeaux. It is not going to be an easy task for Manyo Plange to dethrone the experienced Cuban.
However, the Ghanaian feels the only line between him and Rigondeaux remains the shot for the crown.
“I am waiting patiently for my chance so I can prove myself to the world. I know Rigondeaux is big but I’m ready for anyone that stands in my way.”
“The time is now and I have to take my chances when they come. I’m sure by next year; I will get the opportunity to become a world champion.”
Coach Lartey thinks COVID-19 affected Manyo Plange’s chances of getting a shot before the close of year.
“I think everything was in order for him to get a shot but the pandemic has delayed it. We hope for a great news once everything returns to normal.”
By: Bernard Neequaye