(FEATURE) Wasiru Mohammed: Sad end to a bright career?
After two years without activity, Wasiru Mohammed’s flamboyant career is gradually coming to an end.
The former WBO Africa and Global super bantamweight titlist has gone two years without a fight due to a managerial dispute between Wasiru and Fight Ready Promotions.
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It is sad that a boxing talent such as Wasiru would go waste due to the boxer’s decision to quit the sport at a point when he should be challenging for a world title.
Whatever happened between him and John Manfo his manager should not have led to where we are today and it is a shame that the sport could lose such a gem.
I saw the problems in Team Wasiru’s camp unfolding right in front of my eyes but I expected it to be solved amicably so the 26-year-old can return to the ring to continue with his bright career.
My perception proved to be wrong with time after the problems escalated to a whole different level which saw Wasiru going cold towards his managers without any cause.
I remember visiting Fit Square Boxing Gym on numerous occasions in an attempt to get an interview with Wasiru but was told he refused to attend training without any reason.
My quest to meet him didn’t end there. I phoned him many times but all my attempts proved futile in the end.
I kept asking myself what the problem was but the answers were not forthcoming from Wasiru because I couldn’t reach out to him till date.
Feud
My sources told me that Wasiru started flirting with some US-based promotional outfits without the knowledge of his promoters, Fight Ready Promotions. I was not surprised because this is common among fighters in Ghana.
So many boxers have seen an abrupt end to their careers due to similar decisions which looked lucrative until they reached the US and came to terms with the reality.
It is in this light that I expected Wasiru to consider doing it the right away. There is nothing wrong with a boxer wanting to relocate to the US to develop his craft as well as challenge at the highest level but it must be done the right way.
I don’t think it was right for him to go behind his management to talk to potential suitors because having a successful career goes beyond talent, loyalty counts.
Wasiru is said to be aggrieved that his US debut which was slated for April 2021 did not come on, having signed a promotional deal with American promoter Cameron Dunkin of D&D Boxing.
My contact to his manager Manfo revealed that the American promoter was finding ways to put him on a Premier Boxing Championship show in the US but his inconsistent attitude towards the management was not helping.
“We had a date for him to fight in the US but that changed, and it happens in boxing,” Manfo told Graphic Sports.
“I stopped hearing from him and he refused to sit with us to have the issues solved. He should come to us if he has problems but I don’t even know what is going on in his mind.”
What next?
The turn of events is doing Wasiru’s career more harm than good and must stop. As it stands, he is out of the WBO ratings, having last fought in January 2020.
Coming back is going to be very difficult and needs an extra work from the boxer. The question is: is he ready for that push? I doubt because I feel he is no more interested in fighting.
Well, I don’t know if he wants his contract with Fight Ready Promotions and D&D Boxing to run out so he could walk out of the contract but I don’t think that is the best option for him.
I believe the delay could destroy his career and leave him dry at the time he exhausts the contract with his management if that is the plan.
I know the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has tried on several occasions to have the matter settled but nothing has come out of it, especially when Wasiru isn’t interested.
With two years already gone, the clock is ticking and the career of one of Ghana’s hottest boxing prospects is coming to an end for no meaningful reason.