Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion, Joshua ‘The Hitter’ Clottey, has described Isaac Dogboe and Richard Commey as credible fighters who have what it takes to become two-time titlists.
Clottey believes the duo must come back stronger to rule the world again in order to prove their worth to doubters.
Dogboe won the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super bantamweight title in 2018 but lost it in eight months, likewise Commey who lost his IBF lightweight belt in that same circumstance in 2019.
Many boxing enthusiasts have cast doubt on the credentials of Dogboe and Commey after they failed to hold onto their belts for long.
But in an interview with the Graphic Sports, Clottey said there were several contenders vying to become titlists, and that sometimes made it difficult for champions to last with their crowns.
He noted that the fact that a fighter loses his belt months after winning it doesn’t make him a half-baked boxer, and called on Dogboe and Commey to work harder in their bid to return.
“Every fighter who can win a world title is credible because it is not easy to achieve that,” Clottey told the Graphic Sports.
“Dogboe and Commey are good fighters and I urge them to come back stronger to prove their critics wrong. That is the only way to prove your worth to doubters.”
“There are so many contenders at the world stage which sometimes make it very difficult to reign for long. I don’t think this makes them as bad as people try to perceive them.”
Dogboe and Commey are hoping to comeback stronger when restrictions on COVID-19 are lifted. They are both yet to make a return to the ring since losing their titles.
Whilst the 25-year-old Dogboe has been inactive for over a year after his two defeats to Emanuel Navarrete, Commey is yet to return in six months since losing his belt to Teofimo Lopez last December.
BY: BERNARD NEEQUAYE