Boxing News of Friday, 15 February 2019
Source: Graphic.com.gh
2019-02-15
Richard Commey and some diginitaries on his arrival in Accra
Newly crowned IBF lightweight titlist, Richard Oblitey Commey, returned home to a heroic welcome on Thursday and said he would savour an opportunity to become the nation’s first unified champion should the opportunity avail itself.
Commey noted that he would definitely welcome a possible clash with WBA and WBO lightweight champion, Vasyl Lomachenko, but wants to ensure that his injured right hand heals fully before deciding on his next move.
Commey destroyed Russia’s Isa Chaniev in two rounds to win by a technical knockout at the Ford Centre in Frisco, Texas, on February 2, 2019. The new champion attributed his emphatic victory to having the best of training under new trainer, Andre Rozier.
The 31-year-old Ghanaian sustained a ligament injury on his right hand after his explosive win over Chaniev following which he underwent an MRI scan to reveal the full extent of the injury, with specialists indicating he would be out of action for up to six weeks to ensure full recuperation.
Addressing the media after he arrived to a rousing welcome in Accra on Thursday, Commey explained that he was looking forward to enjoying a long reign as a world champion, having really worked hard for the title.
“I am very happy for this feat because I have worked so hard for it and I’m looking forward to reigning for long. It will be great to become the nation’s first unified world champion and I will embrace an opportunity to fight Lomachenko should it avail itself after my recovery,” Commey said.
The IBF champion wants his injured hand to heal completely
For his part, Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) president, Mr Peter Zwennes, lauded Commey for his efforts in redeeming the country’s image at the world stage of boxing.
He promised that Ghana would produce more world champions in the future and called on the government to support the sport in order to win more laurels for the nation.
“I am happy for Commey and I want to congratulate him on achieving this feat for the nation. He has redeemed the nation’s image at the world stage and we are proud of him,” Mr Zwennes noted.
