Ghana's former IBO world champion, Emmanuel “Game Boy” Tagoe, arrived in the United States of America in the early hours of yesterday full of confidence ahead of his upcoming fight against unbeaten American contender Ernesto “Tito” Mercado next month.
Tagoe, with only two defeats in 36 career fights, faces the 24-year-old Mercado in a 10-round super lightweight contest at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 15, a co-main event to the undisputed women’s heavyweight championship between Claressa Shields and Kaye Scott, which will be broadcast live on DAZN.
The Ghanaian seeks to revive his world title ambitions with probably the biggest win of his career. Having rebuilt his career with two straight wins in the past two years since dropping a unanimous decision to Ryan Garcia in April 2022, Tagoe says the time is right to re-announce his credentials to the boxing world by facing a dangerous puncher.
Ranked number four by the WBO and five by the IBF, the American youngster has established himself as one of the hottest prospects in the super lightweight division with 19 straight victories (18 knockouts) to start his career, and has stopped eight straight opponents ahead of this fight.
The WBO International champion also recently signed a long-term promotional deal with Salita Promotions, strengthening his push for a world title shot.
But even at 37, Tagoe remains confident of coming out on top against one of boxing’s fastest-rising stars. Citing injuries as hampering his efforts against Garcia – his only defeat since losing on his debut back in 2004 – the Ghanaian show-stopper insists he has only been better with age, and is confident of putting up a statement performance in Atlanta come next month.
“I don’t care about what people say about my age because I still have my strengths and skills; nothing has changed. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, so there is no weakness. I would rather have more experience; I will use this fight to revive my career,” he told the Graphic Sports via phone shortly after landing in Portland, Oregon, to round up preparations.
“Everything is under control, there’s no pressure. I don’t see him as any threat; otherwise I wouldn’t have taken this fight. People ganged up to sabotage me, and I nearly retired, but I’m here for serious business,” Tagoe said.
“I appreciate my fans back home in Ghana who support me all the time and for their constant belief. I assure them of victory; they should watch out for the new Game Boy.”
