Ghana applauds young world boxing champion

The 21-year-old boxer, popularly known as the “Royal Storm”, defeated Filipino Neil Tabanao to become the WBC world youth featherweight champion Saturday dawn in Accra.

Vanderpuye said in a statement that Dogboe’s victory over the tough-fighting Filipino champion was a huge testament that Ghana still boasted of potential world beaters who could annex titles, given the required support from stakeholders and dedication and commitment from the boxers.

“With the level of brilliance exhibited by the boxing prodigy, the President has no doubt that the newly crowned WBC world youth champion can go on and aim a shot at the world title and subsequently pick up from where its boxing legends left off,” he said.

The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to recapture the glory days of the pugilist sport.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings said Dogbe’s victory was a major step towards the revival of boxing in the country.

“He is really reviving the old boxing spirit we had appreciated when Azumah Nelson (three-time former world champion) was in his prime and I believe he will certainly continue from where Azumah left off,” he told the media after watching the bout.

With the victory, Dogbe has added the vacant WBC world junior featherweight and Tabanao’s hitherto Asia Oriental title to the WBO Africa featherweight belt he already holds. Enditem

Source: Xinhua/News Ghana