Richards (R) and Dogboe pose with a punch bag at the Bridge Foundation Gym in Accra
Two members of the national amateur boxing side Black Bombers, Lerrone Richards and Isaac Zion K. Dogboe, are brimming with optimism ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The duo with Ghanaian parentage, who are domiciled in the United Kingdom, combining education and boxing, have promised to make great impact when London hosts the rest of the World from July 27 to August 12.
They were in the country a few weeks ago under the auspices of the president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) Ambassador Ray Quarcoo to participate in a special Independence Day boxing tourney.
Their arrival was also part of the Federation’s initiative to beef up the squad for the summer competition as well as to fraternize with the local components before the Games.
Richards, 19, pursuing Sports Science at the Kingston College, believes he has done so much gym work for the task ahead, saying, “I feel I’m ready for the Olympic challenge. There would be a lot of boxers out there, but with tenacity of purpose, I hope to achieve my target.
“I have always longed to become an Olympic champion, and I think the time has come for me to realize that dream. Anything can happen in boxing but with the right frame of mind and discipline, everything is possible in the sports,” the 79kg Middleweight boxer added.
His compatriot, Dogboe, 17, is a 56kg Bantamweight boxer and has given the assurance that should he make it to the Summer Games, he will make a good representation by winning a medal for the country.
“I will give my best shot if I’m given the chance to travel with the team. I am in the best of shapes, and with a little polishing, I will make Ghana proud,” Dogboe stated.
He is pursuing accounting, business and marketing at the St Francis Xavier College in the UK.
By Kofi Owusu Aduonum
