AIBA instructor and coach of the Black Bombers, Kwasi Ofori Asare, has called on Ghana’s lightweight contender, Richard Commey, to go out and make a difference against the four-division world champion, Mickey Garcia, in their upcoming WBC and IBF world championship in January 2019.
Coach Asare, who currently trains former IBF world bantamweight champion, Joseph Agbeko, believes with the focus and determination of Commey, he can shock the world with an emphatic victory over the undefeated favourite Garcia.
Many boxing enthusiasts have raised concerns over whether Commey (27-2, 24 KOs) could stand a chance of realising his world champion aspirations against an experienced fighter in Garcia (39-0, 30 KOs), after both camps reached an agreement to fight early next year in either New York or Las Vegas.
Coach Asare believes Commey has come of age in the sport and with his growing experience, he was capable of beating the American.
In an interview with the Graphic Sports, coach Asare noted that Commey had already proved himself to the world after losing controversially to Robert Easter Jnr in their world title championship in 2016, and said with his rich experience in the sport now, he has a brighter chance of shocking Garcia.
“You can’t underate Commey because his opponent is a four-division world champion and I don’t he is even concern about that. I know he will go out there to make a difference against Garcia.
“Commey is a determined boxer and I believe he can shock the entire world with an emphatic victory over Garcia because he is much experience as compared to his loss to Robert Easter Jnr,” he said.
He, however, admitted that all the odds would be against Commey just as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, and Isaac Dogboe went through in their bid to become world champions but said every boxer must always beat the best to attain such status.
Commey will be making his second bow at a world title championship since losing his maiden opportunity against Easter Jr two years ago after losing by a split decision.
The 31-year-old Ghanaian came back stronger by defeating Hedi Slimani and Alejandro Luna to earn himself a rematch with Easter Jr for his IBF strap but the champion opted for a unification bout with Garcia in which he went on to lose.
Garcia’s victory meant he was mandated to defend his title against the hanaian with the IBF ordering him to open negotiations with Commey over a potential fight.