I find it interesting whenever I see upcoming prospects call out each other. It is the sort of competition needed to make Ghana boxing great again.
Recently, the contest between sworn rivals Michael ‘One Bullet’ Ansah and Sheriff Quaye brought so much delight to boxing enthusiasts, considering the publicity surrounding the bout.
It was a third fight between the pair and that made it an interesting one with bragging rights attached to it. The attendance on March 6 night brought life to the sport in the country.
On the March 6 card, two featherweight prospects John Laryea and Alfred Lamptey fought and won on knockouts. Those wins were massive statements for their careers, but there is an interesting twist.
While Laryea was defending his national featherweight belt, Lamptey fought the final eliminator for the former’s title, making a possible showdown in the coming months a much anticipated one.
The two undefeated fighters are both looking forward to slugging it out as soon as possible but my question remains whether their impending fight should go beyond just a national championship.
It is important to note that fights of this calibre should normally have the potential of putting the winner in the rankings of the four main sanctioning bodies.
And that is why I will call on promoters to consider lobbying for another belt to be on the line for the fight. At this point, all two fighters are in high spirits waiting to get to take on each other but the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) must ensure the fight takes place to prevent any of them from chickening out at the last minute.
War of words
My recent interview with Lamptey gave me a clue that he was prepared to go past his opponent. His determination to have the fight happen immediately is one thing I admired about him.
But there is a difference between determination and winning and he must prove himself when the fight takes place.
“John Laryea hasn’t fought anyone like me since he became a professional,” Lamptey told Graphic Sports.
“Let’s get the fight done and that is where I will prove my worth to the entire nation. He can’t stand me in a fight and that is what I want him and his camp to know about that,” he added.
The fight could prove to be the biggest in the careers of both fighters but that is the test needed to make a fighter stronger for the future. With eight fights and six knockouts to his credit, Lamptey is on course to building a great career if he continues in that tangent.
His counterpart, Laryea, has a similar record with eight wins and a draw, with six knockout victories. However, Lamptey believes his opponent usually fights mediocre opponents, but Laryea has a different view to what Lamptey thinks of him.
He said he had nothing to prove to his rival than to teach him a boxing lesson in the ring.
“You can only talk when you haven’t faced me. He has to be in the ring with me to know my qualities and I cannot wait for that day. If he says I haven’t fought anyone like him, I want to ask him if he has fought someone like me. That should be his question. I don’t see him as a threat at all,” Laryea told the Graphic Sports.
Analysis
At this point, it will be difficult to determine a possible winner but I foresee an interesting bout between the two young fighters in the bout.
The two pugilists have a similar style but whoever exhibits a ring intellect would carry the night. It is also premature to note which plan each fighter will be coming into the ring with.
Despite all these factors, the corner of each fighter will play a significant role in ensuring which boxer wins.
Coach Lawrence Carl Lokko will be instrumental in ensuring Laryea gains the bragging rights but trainer Ebenezer Adjei is equal to the task to lead Lamptey to victory.
We are on a long way to ensure the fight takes place but in the end Ghana boxing must win and it won’t be bad seeing a rematch after their maiden bout.
By Bernard Neequaye