Sports News of Wednesday, 11 September 2019
Source: Myjoyonline.com
2019-09-11
Patrick Allotey (R) has been preparing for the bout
Patrick Allotey’s job description for Saturday’s bout against WBO super welterweight champion Jaime Munguia is “break the trend of Mexican dominance over Ghanaian opponents.”
Just like any contender, Allotey has an arduous task, this time it is to unseat a hard-hitting, a crafty world champion in Muguia who is 33 wins strong and unscathed.
The trend of Ghanaians losing to Mexicans could be immediately traced to the double that Emmanuel Navarette recorded over Isaac Dogboe. Earlier in 2018, Olympian, Habib Ahmed lost via a knockout to Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez, who as a result kept his WBO super middleweight title.
During the same quarter in 2018, Maxwell Awuku failed to snatch Miguel Berchlet’s WBC super featherweight title. The Mexican won that bout via a technical knockout in Cancun.
But Allotey, 28, seems to have a big dose of confidence. “I know Mexican boxers are good and tough. I have watched Jaime Munguia for a couple of days and know what he is made of.”
“There is always a new plan for every new boxer I fight and I do have one for him. I am training towards how to counter some of his skills on the day,” he told Joy Sports in an interview at the Charles Quartey Gym in Accra after a training session.
The Ghanaian, who earned this by virtue of his WBO Africa title, is also aware of the partisan crowd he will be facing at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California on Saturday.
“I have been outside my country to fight specifically in Europe and so I don’t fear the crowd. How that atmosphere will influence my fight on the day is my primary concern. I need myself on that day to be powerful spiritually and mentally so I can do whatever I want to do on that day.” Allotey added.
The Ghanaian boxer’s preparation towards this bout has been under the supervision of coach Ofori Asare, a respected trainer who is credited with training at least two generations of Ghana’s young boxers. Asare being Ghana’s most decorated coach in amateur boxing was also assisted at a point by coach Charles Quartey, a retired boxer and officer of Ghana’s Air Force.
Allotey’s bit
Patrick Allotey’s rise to relevance started last year when he won the WBO Africa super welterweight title against compatriot Frank Dodzi. He went ahead to defend it twice against Uganda’s Badru Lusambaya and Sherif Kasongo of Democratic Republic of Congo.
Aside from three losses which include that to undefeated Brazilian contender Patrick Teixeira, the Ghanaian has been consistent with his wins. Patrick is comfortable with the orthodox stance and can rely on his big punch and durability.
Munguia’s seeming invincibility
The Mexican who has the legendary Oscar De La Hoya as inspiration from the division will be the centre of attraction by every stretch of the imagination.
He travelled 28 fights and won each of them after which he landed a shot at the main title. The 22-year-old, born, Jaime Aaron Munguia Escobedo did not deliver anything short of his previous performances and saw off the then champion American Sadam Ali.
After that feat, the six-foot-tall champion has been at his lethal best. He has been clearing all possible threats from the likes of Lima Smith, Brandon Cook, Takeshi Inoue and Dennis Hogan.
The lethal punching orthodox boxer will always prove tough for any opponent as he has established himself as a part knockout artist with a 79% success rate.
