Chaniev (13-1, 6 KOs), stated that the only results that could satisfy him was victory and believed he was ready to demonstrate his skills against the Ghanaian after hard preparation.
Speaking to ESPN, Chaniev described Commey as an excellent fighter who he respects but expressed his preparedness to ensure he carries the night when they slug it out.
“I have the biggest motivation ever to win, and there is no other result that will satisfy me,” Chaniev said.
“In February, I will demonstrate all my skills and hard preparation. Some people don’t think I will win, but they will be shocked on February 2. No bad words or any disrespect to Commey. He is an excellent fighter,” he added.
Both Chaniev and Commey are promoted by the Lou DiBella Entertainment and the promotional firm had a deal with Top Rank to have the winner of the bout to be an eventual opponent in a lightweight title unification fight with WBA and WBO titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Commey could have his first title defence against Lomachenko on April 12 in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card at the Staples Center in Los Angeles would he beat Chaniev on February 2.
Commey has also been nominated for the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Boxer of the year and the ultimate Sports Personality of the year if he wins the title and he sees it as more motivation not to let this second chance for the IBF lightweight title belt slip.
Meanwhile, most Ghanaians are very sure the time for Commey to win the world title has come and he will add his name to the golden heroes like D. K. Poison, Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Joseph Agbeko, Joshua Clottey, Emmanuel Tagoe and Isaac Dogboe.
Ghana has many rising boxers and they should look for chances to become world rated and world champions. Currently the West African nation has 7 WBO Africa champions.
From Sammy Heywood Okine