Advertisement

 Richard Commey and his handlers have suffered a second straight controversial loss
Richard Commey and his handlers have suffered a second straight controversial loss

Disappointed Commey heads home after loss to Russian

Top-rated world title contender Richard Commey is expected back home this week after suffering a hotly contested battle and controversial split decision loss to Russia’s Denis Shafikov last Friday in their 12-round IBF lightweight world title eliminator at the Tough Fight Gym in Moscow, Russia.

The judges scored the bout 116-112 for Commey and 116-112, 115-113 for Shafikov.

It was the second consecutive loss by the Ghanaian who failed to win the IBF lightweight title after being outpointed by American Robert Easter Jr. at the Santander Arena in Pennsylvania, USA, on September 10.

“It’s very disappointing, I clearly won the fight; look at how banged up he is,” said the 29-year-old Commey last Friday night. “Round after round it was the same thing, he bulled forward with his head and I slammed him with upper cuts and lead rights, it was like target practice.”

“While it could be made that Shafikov was the aggressor, there was nothing effective about his game plan, whatsoever. Very one dimensional and capable of beating some fighters but he didn’t beat me tonight.”

Commey’s manager, Mickey Amoo-Bediako was equalliy livid at the result. “It’s inconceivable this could happen twice in a row. Richard beat Easter and he fought like a road warrior tonight and clearly beat Shafikov. The judging in boxing is getting worse each month.”

“Richard had a great training camp and fought like a champion in this fight and the last one. It’s decisions like these that are turning away fans. He battered Shafikov around the ring, one judge got it right at 116-112 for Richard, that’s exactly how I scored it.”

“We’re going to head back to Ghana, regroup and put together a game plan to make another run at a world title. We don’t want any gimmes, we want to fight our way to a title.”

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |