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Dobgoe will seize Mandalay Bay chance — Matchmaker

Dobgoe will seize Mandalay Bay chance — Matchmaker

The matchmaker of undefeated Isaac Dogboe, Mike Altamura, has given an assurance that the Ghanaian will make the most of the opportunity presented him and put up a fight when he challenges Mexico’s Jessie Magdaleno for the WBO Jnr featherweight title at the famous Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on April 14.

Dobgoe (18-0, 12 KOs) had this important date with destiny against the undisputed champion after he beat another Mexican, Cesar Juarez in Accra last January 6.

Ahead of the game, Altamura has admitted that Dogboe is fighting as an undercard to the Jeff Horn-Terence Crawford bout and that would provide the Ghanaian the opportunity to market himself to the world.

“Fighting in a 15,000 - capacity venue like the Mandalay Bay provides every boxer the chance to prove himself. I’m happy that Dobgoe has that chance and I’m assuring everyone fan of his that he will seize that chance and discharge his duties creditably.

“It is certainly his biggest so far and a defining moment in his career. He will put up a splendid performance in the fight, I have no doubt,” Altamura stated.

The matchmaker also disclosed that Magdaleno's camp had tried avoiding the scheduled fight earlier during the Ghanaian’s build-up to the WBO Interim featherweight clash with Cesar Juarez.

Altamura accused Magdaleno's promoters, Top Rank, owned by Bob Arum, of approaching him to ensure Dogboe pull out of his bout with Juarez, so his fighter could fight the Mexican instead of having to face a mandatory challenger.

Dogboe (18-0, 12 KOs) will slug it out at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on April 14 when he challenges champion Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs) for the undisputed WBO Jnr Featherweight Championship after knocking out Juarez in an eliminator last January 6, in Accra.

In an interview with the Graphic Sports, Altamura noted that Top Rank wanted Dogboe to challenge for the title after Magdaleno had vacated it and moved up in weight, but his camp rejected the proposal due to their pledge to end Ghana's world title drought.

“They are afraid to fight Isaac and had wanted to avoid this bout, but we are ready to prove our worth to them. This is the first time Magdaleno is being mandated to fight someone like Isaac.

“Ahead of Isaac's fight with Juarez, I was approached by Top Rank to have him pull out of the bout in order to wait for Magdaleno to vacate his title so we can go for it which I declined,” he said.

Magdaleno will be returning to the ring for the first time in a year, after successfully making his title defence against Adeilson Dos Santos, having knocked out his opponent in two rounds.

The 26-year-old Mexican pulled out of his second title defence against fellow Mexican, Cesar Juarez, after sustaining a wrist injury during training but has assurance of a convincing victory over the Ghanaian on April 14.

Magdaleno’s withdrawal from the November 11 bout with Juarez gave Dogboe the chance to fight, winning to then set up that encounter with the unbeaten champion in the WBO Jnr featherweight.

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