Ghana’s boxing touchbearer Richard Commey isn’t bothered by the blatant disrespect that has been directed at him though being the defending IBF world champion against youngster and hyped machine Teofimo Lopez ahead of their impending showdown on Dec 14.
The Jamestown native is a man on a mission as he is billed to set the records straight and stake a claim for African boxers. The Ghanaian has gone through the mill in his career, winning in the process the National title, African title, Commonwealth title, International title and finally the World title in his second attempt after his first against Robert Easter Jr which was controversially scored on a split decision in favour of the American- a decision many connoisseurs of the game says it was for the commercial side of the game rather than the true reflection of the bout.
For most African fighters, it is practically impossible to break into the American market simply because, for them the African do not bring anything to the table. But that assertion in itself is a mirage. The African boxing market, when nurtured into the status of pay per view will be enough to unseat even the American market, perhaps why there has not being a concerted effort to develop the boxing economy by the power players.
But for Commey, who fights for the young aspiring boxers of bukom and Ghana, the blatant underration and disrespect rather motivates him
“We find it disrespectful but it also motivates us as a team to work even harder,” Commey explained. “Come December 14th, all that hard work will come to fruition.” The Ghanaian reiterated.
When the boxing fundamentals are weak a much experienced boxer with a punching power will expose you and that goes for Teofimo Lopez.
From day one BoxingGhana predicted Teofimo Lopez as a product of proper marketing and indeed was “exposed” by Japanese Nakatani in a classical case of building someone up just to bring him down.
In a shell, we quote ESPN commentator Andre Ward “Team Lopez talked themselves into a position to fight for this belt, so this fight has to happen.” and as it is said in Ghana, they are going to see the smoothness level against Ghana’s pride and sole world titlist Richard Commey come 14 December at Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, USA.
Credit: Bare Facts with Samuel Ofosuhene