Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Azumah honoured in US
Azumah Nelson’s legendary status as boxer was cemented further at the 52nd World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas last Monday when he was named alongside the late Alexis Arguello as the WBC Super Featherweight Boxer of all time.
Advertisement
In recognition of his legendary status, Azumah, a former two-time WBC Super Featherweight champion, and the former WBC featherweight champion during his illustrious career, was decorated with a new glittering title belt embossed with his photo, as well as those of American boxing icon, Muhammad Ali, Arguello and the late WBC president, Jose Sulaiman.
The 56-year-old Azumah held the WBC Super Featherweight title for nine years, losing it the second and last time to American Genaro Hernandez in 1997.
Arguello, a Nicaraguan, who held the WBC Super Featherweight title from 1978 to 1980, was an undefeated three-time world champion, and regarded as one of the greatest fighters of his era. He died in 2009.
A citation which accompanied the special belt read, “the World Boxing Council honours Azumah Nelson for being chosen by the fans as one of the greatest WBC Super Featherweight Champions of all time. His face will be featured on all the Super Featherweight champion belts from now on”.
Professor Azumah expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians for their immense support during his stellar career and dedicated the honour to his compatriots.
A day after his honour, the ‘Professor of Boxing’ launched his biography -- The Professor -- at the sidelines of the WBC Convention, which honoured other boxing legends such as Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis (heavyweight division), Salvador Sanchez and Jeff Fenech (featherweight division), Evander Holyfield and Juan Carlos Gomez (cruiserweight), Roy Jones and Michael Spinks (Lt. heavyweight).
Current greats also honoured included Barmane Stiverne, Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Miguel Cotto .
The WBC Convention was recorded by Guinness Book of Record as the sporting event with over 100 past and present champions at one location.