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He is one of a few boxers whose fights have never gone without controversy, but at the same he is regarded as one of the best things to have happened to Ghana boxing in recent times.

Emmanuel ‘Game Boy’ Tagoe defeated George Ashie in a tension-packed fight, and many were of the view that he did not deserve that victroy. He followed up with another win over Ronald Pontilas of the Philippines and the criticisms were worse as it was described as ‘daylight robbery’.

Just this month, he secured another victory over highly-rated, Gerado Robles of the United States of America. This time, too, he weighed more than required, and was, therefore, denied the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter Continental super-featherweight title.

Nonetheless, he would be presented with another opportunity this time to take a shot at the world title possibly in February and he has vowed to come clean devoid of any shred of controversy.

WS: Good evening and congratulations on the victory you had over your opponent

ET: Thank you

WS: I have watched at the least the three fights of yours and the one against Gerardo was the best performance so far. You were aggressive throughout and accurate with your punches. What was the secret?

ET: Let me give thanks to the almighty God. I considered it as the fight of my life. It was a make or break affair for me because I had to send a message down to my critics.

Again, it was the first time I was fighting outside the country and I saw it as an opportunity for me to showcase to the world that I have the quality to be on the bigger stage.

WS: What message did you send to your critics?

ET: My critics have always doubted my quality. When I defeated Ashie, they said all manner of things, later I fought Pontilas and won, and they claim it was the referee who aided my victory.

So I saw the fight as a perfect opportunity for me to silence them by winning. Now I am sure they should be revising their notes because I have come all the way to America to beat no less an opponent than Gerardo.

WS: You struggled with weight days and hours before the fight. What happened?

ET: I did not struggle with weight. I have my personal scale I used every day for training to ensure that, I’m within. But when we went for the weighing, their scale was given a different weight and we had to accept that. I weighed 129-130 on mine, but weighed 132 on theirs. To me it was a lesson well-learnt.

WS: It caused you the title, though you won the fight.

ET: I needed the title alright, but winning was also very important for me. For now the most important thing for me was to win the fight and you see it has opened doors for me because am told many promoters want me on their bills now and I have to come over to USA to fight. The titles will flow very soon.

WS: Many are of the view that you are a pampered boxer. You have been over hyped beyond your potentials. Do you agree?

ET: I guess it’s the reason why they find reasons for every success I chalk up in my career.

It is not true. I have worked hard for everything. You saw how determined I was in the ring. I came here weeks before the fight to train so where from over hype and pampering. They should be ready to appreciate what I have done and stop bringing people down.   

WS: Your style of fighting has always come under criticisms. Many think your antics are unnecessary and that you will find things difficult when you meet a more serious boxer.

ET: That is my style. That is why they call me “Game Boy”. Every boxer has a nick name and it comes from their style and quality.

But I don’t misuse it. I do it when I realise I am dominating. You noticed in the 7th and 8th rounds I applied some of my antics. It is not just the fun of it. In fact it works for me. It’s part of my strategy in the ring.

WS: I am told you will be fighting for the world title in February next year. Are you prepared for that now?

ET: Yes, I have been told. I think it will be the greatest and the biggest opportunity for me. I am ever prepared for that. In boxing, just like any sport, you have limited years to fight or remain in the game because of its physical nature. You cannot be in boxing till 60, and so when the opportunity comes I must grab it and make the best out of it. So I’m leaving no stone unturned. I have to make the mark as quickly as possible. When I get to Ghana, I will rest for just a week and then start training for the next assignment. There are possible indications that, I may come back here in October to fight in a non- title contest, so I have limited time to rest. I must be serious.

WS: You had the opportunity to train in USA weeks before the fight; did it make any impact on your performance?

ET: Of course. First of all concentration was 100 per cent because I was training away from home. There were not any forms of distraction, it was all about training.

Again, I think the facilities were super so I had the best of training for the fight. The only unfortunate thing was that I could not secure the title because of the weight factor, but I have learnt my lessons.

WS: There are plans for you to relocate to USA, do you think it will advance the cause of your career?

ET: Hmmm! It’s a difficult one. It’s a good idea I will like to train here for my future fights but not to relocate here. You see when you are with them here you are given little recognition, but when you come over perform wonders and go back to your country you are well respected.

When Azumah was in his prime, he was coming here weeks before his fights, trained and performed wonders and went back to Ghana. That’s the trend I want to follow.

Though the facilities are good, there is the possibility of you getting detracted by the environment and all that it comes with.

— This interview is by courtesy of GNA’s William Ezah