All is set for the first Azumah Nelson inspired VIP Fight Night Saturday night at the Ballroom of the five-star Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in the Ghana capital, Accra following successful weigh-in by the fighters on the bill.
Nelson, the former 3-time world champion and Hall of Famer has personally selected the boxers for the black-tie event being staged by Hemann Promotions in association with Azumah Nelson Boxing and sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority.
Victor Kpadenou has a tough job on his hands when he steps into the ring next week against American, Morgan ‘Big Chief’ Fitch in a Light heavyweight contest at the Meadow Racetrack and Casino in Washington, USA.
Kpadenou (10-10, 5 KOs), the former IBU super welterweight champion of the world is still looking for his first victory in the United States having lost his two opening fights in the ‘Mecca of boxing’ since arriving late last year.
He lost on unanimous points to both Earl Newman on December 29, 2015 and Godson Noel on January 22 this year but the man from Benin in West Africa is confident he will make this opportunity count against the undefeated Fitch (16-0-1, 7 KOs) on June 18.
Fireworks are expected in the ring on the night of June 11, 2016 when the curtains are finally drawn on the Azumah Nelson inspired VIP Fight Night Black Tie edition at the 5-Star Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel Ballroom in the Ghana capital, Accra.
A total of six professional fights headlined by the clash for the West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) Super Featherweight title between belt holder, Wahab Oluwaseum and challenger, Michael Pappoe will whet the appetite of distinguished guests expected at the event.
As well, warm-up amateur fights and a women’s exhibition bout will precede the main events.
Ghanaian boxing legend, Azumah Nelson is not giving up on the dream of finding the perfect replacement for himself in the ring and is sure next weekend’s VIP Fight Night can be the beginning of finding that legend in the making. Nelson, the much revered former 3-time world champion and WBC Hall of Fame inductee is selecting the boxers who will fight on the show scheduled for the ballroom of the plush Kempinski Gold Coast City Hotel in Accra on June 11 put together by HeMann Promotions in association with Azumah Nelson Boxing sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority.
Former world title challenger, Isaac ‘Grenade’ Ekpo is confident he is ready to have another crack at a championship and is eyeing an immediate date against Romanian born, Lucian Bute.
The Nigerian fighter has racked up seven straight victories since his WBO Super Middleweight world title loss to Robert Stieglitz in Germany in October 2013, in the process winning the Commonwealth title as well as regaining the WBO Africa crown he previously vacated.
Former world title challenger, Isaac Ekpo (26-2, 19 KOs) is craving another opportunity for a shot at global championship and has targeted taking on the very best Super Middleweights in world boxing most notably George Groves.
World title chasing Ekpo AKA Grenade, won again when he fought in the Republic of Benin on May 9, 2015 following a round 3 TKO over Ibrahim Marshall in a bout that was fought at Light Heavyweight limit.
But Ekpo, the Ghana based Nigerian would stay at Super Middleweight and wait for his chance against the big boys of the division, he has exclusively told Boxing247.com adding that he has a keen interest in the fight between Andre Dirrel and James DeGale on May 23.
Former Ghana and West Africa champion, Raymond Commey hopes to finally lay his hands on the WBA Pan Africa Super Bantamweight belt when the Ghanaian boxer faces compatriot, Michael Barnor in Accra next week Friday, May 22.
Commey nicknamed Chorkor Banku defeated Kenyan, Nick Otieno at the Accra Sports Stadium back on December 26 last year apparently for the same belt, but he never got the title due to some technical hitches which according to the WBA did not warrant the fight as sanctioned.
US based Ghanaian welterweight, Emmanuel Lartey has vowed to stop unbeaten Sammy Vasquez in their 10-round scheduled fight at CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania later tonight.
33 year old Lartey of Brooklyn, NY by way of Ghana last fought in June last year when he ended a 2-fight losing streak (his only career defeats) with a unanimous points victory over Steve Forbes at the Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Washington, USA.
But the Ghanaian remains unfazed, speaking tough after making a weight of 146.5 kilos to the 147.25 of home boy, Vasquez at yesterday’s pre-fight weigh-in.
Ghanaian boxing bragging rights will be on the line when undefeated Rafael ‘Sweet Pea’ Mensah faces compatriot Emmanuel ‘Game Boy’ Tagoe in a battle of two of Ghana’s best lightweight boxers in Accra in May.
Boxing247.com can exclusively report that the camps of both boxers are in talks to make the super fight happen within three months, and a deal could be finalized by the end of this month.
Both boxers are highly rated with a combined career record of 47 wins, 28 knockouts and a solitary defeat, as well both have held various titles in Ghana and on the African continent and are both desperately chasing world title dreams.
Nigeria’s reigning Commonwealth Super Middleweight champion, Isaac Ekpo has called the bluff of George Groves, Carl Froch, Callum Smith, Steven Smith and other highly rated Super Middleweights in world boxing.
Ghana-based Ekpo (25-2, 18 KOs) who fought for the WBO Super Middleweight world title in a decision loss to Robert Stieglitz in Germany in October 2013, has targeted another crack at the world championship but first he wants to beat some top boxers in his weight division and he is talking tough.
“I am ready for the top Super Middleweights in the UK like Steven Smith, brother of Callum who is fighting for the WBO Super Middleweight title on February 28 in Germany, that’s the perfect fight I am looking for,” Ekpo told Boxing247.com exclusively in Accra.