Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Coach Ofori Asare: Duke Micah’s corner have explanation to make
Trainer of Ghana's national boxing team, Black Bombers, Kwasi Ofori Asare, has called on the technical team of Duke Micah to come out and explain his abysmal performance against John Riel Casimero in last Saturday’s World Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight championship.
Asare told the Graphic Sports that he was shocked at the former Olympian’s performance and believes he was psychologically not fit for the bout.
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The Ghanaian fighter suffered his first career loss when he was stopped by the Filipino in the third round to retain his belt.
Micah was knocked down with a ferocious left hook after a flurry of punches in the second round by the Filipino before Steve Willis stopped the bout in round three due to inactivity.
In an interview with the Graphic Sports, Coach Asare said Micah fought like he was afraid of Casimero, and believes his camp must accept blame for his shambolic performance.
“His trainers must come out to explain what happened to Duke Micah in the bout with Casimero because it is very bad losing this way.
“It was as if he was afraid of his opponent but I have trained him before and this is not how he fights. I’m sure something went wrong with his preparation,” he noted.
Micah needed a short period to prepare for the biggest fight of his career and Coach Asare believes that played a role in his poor performance.
The 28-year-old Ghanaian was not ranked by the four main sanctioning bodies but was chosen on his undefeated record to challenge the three-division world titlist.
“The time frame for the fight was too short for him but he certainly had to accept it because it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him.
“His defeat was very bad but I want him to come back stronger to make a statement for himself,” Coach Asare added.