Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Commey hopeful of victory in world title eliminator
World title hopeful Richard Commey says he is determined to face his worst fears by claiming victory in “enemy territory” when he fights Russian Denis Shafikov in an International Boxing Federation (IBF) eliminator in Moscow on December 7.
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The winner of the fight will be in line to fight the IBF lightweight champion Robert Easter Jnr in a mandatory title defence.
The Ghanaian lightweight boxer was hoping to fight before his compatriots in the all-important eliminator, but after learning he would fight his Russian opponents in cold Moscow, Commey tweeted his disappointment with the fight venue. “Really disappointed not to be fighting in Ghana or my second home, the UK, or in front of my new found fans in the USA.”
However, he later accepted the challenge and promised to invade Moscow and hand Shafikov a real beating.
Commey, 29, who has won all but one of his 25 bouts, told the Graphic Sports yesterday that his initial reservation about fighting the Russian in Moscow was born out of his fear of a possible robbery on December 7.
Still haunted by his 12-round split points loss to Easter Jnr on September 9 at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, Commey feared he could be handed another raw deal in Moscow just as he suffered against the American in his backyard, a fight the Ghanaian claimed should have been declared a win from him. However, he is now psyched up to take the fight to the Russian before his home fans in order to realise his dream of a rematch with Easter Jnr.
“I am supposed to be ready to fight everywhere and anyone and am prepared for Shafikov and will beat him even at his own backyard,” he noted.
The IBF held a purse bid and Warriors Boxing, who have interest in Shafikov, secured the promotional rights with a bid of $61,000. Sauerland Event, on behalf of Commey, bid $45,300.
Originally, the IBF had ordered Jose Felix Jnr to face Shafikov but he declined, along with Felix Verdejo (who is still recovering from a motorcycle accident), Alejandro Luna, and Edis Tati.