Ghana’s duo of Isaac Dogboe and Wasiru Mohammed could have the opportunity to challenge for the World Boxing Organisation’s (WBO’s) super bantamweight title following Emanuel Navarrete’s decision to vacate the belt.
Dogboe, a former holder of the title, is not ranked by the WBO at the moment but is expected to make his much awaited ring return in over a year when he fights Chris Avalos in Las Vegas.
Wasiru Mohammed on the other hand holds the WBO Global super bantamweight belt and is ranked seventh by the sanctioning body. He could be in line to land a shot at the title in the coming months.
However, sources tell the Graphic Sports that Dogboe’s new trainers, Barry Hunter and Patrice Harris, have advised the former champion to remain in the super bantamweight division so this could offer him the opportunity to stage a comeback for the title and to avoid moving up to featherweight.
Meanwhile, Wasiru has the brightest chance of landing a shot for the belt as soon as possible, having moved up to seventh on the WBO ratings. His last fight was a seventh round knockout victory over Benin’s John Amuzu which helped him defend his WBO Global title successfully at the Bukom Boxing Arena last January.
Responding to Navarrete’s decision to vacate the WBO title, the manager and promoter of Wasiru, John Manfo, said his camp was would monitor the situation before taking a decision.
Mr Manfo explained that they were considering so many factors before opting for Wasiru to go in for a world championship bout.
“The news just came in and we are monitoring the situation. I hear that two boxers have been asked to fight for the belt but it is not official so we are waiting,” Mr Manfo told the Graphic Sports.
“We might consider getting him some fights in the US to prepare him adequately for the world title and if possible make him the mandatory challenger for the belt once someone else wins it,” he added.
By: Bernard Neequaye