Boxing icon Azumah Nelson has been honoured by the World Boxing Council (WBC), Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) and Imax Boxing Promotions for his inspiring role as an ambassador for the sport many years after his illustrious career.
As part of activities to commemorate the 65th birthday of the three-time world champion, Fight Night 9 of the ongoing Ghana Professional Boxing League was dedicated to the former world champion during which he was celebrated before a packed Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
He was presented with a commemorative belt by WBC Cares, while the GBA and Imax Promotions, organisers of the league, presented him with a symbolic bronze glove.
Sarah Lotus Asare, Secretary of WBC Cares Africa, the regional charity wing of the global boxing body, presented a special title belt to Nelson in recognition of his immense role in the sport’s development.
Similarly, GBA President, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, supported by the association’s board members and Alhaji Fadi Fattal of Imax Promotions, presented the legend with a bronze glove to symbolize his greatness in the ring and got him inducted into the exclusive International Boxing Hall of Fame.
“On behalf of IMAX Boxing Promotions, my chairman, Mr Maxwell Techie, Cephas Techie, Ricky Anokye, as well as the entire staff of Max TV, we want to wish the legendary Azumah a happy birthday. You are a legend, the pride of Africa, the foundation and pillar of boxing in Africa,” said Alhaji Fattal, Director of IMAX Promotions.
Azumah, who watched some of the young talents compete, expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the expression of love by the boxing fraternity and Ghanaians.
“God bless you all. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. What can I say? Where can I bring the blessing to all my fans all over the world for the love you have for me that money cannot buy?”
Azumah, who held WBC titles in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions at different times of his career, was impressed with some of the fights, including a display by his 10-year-old nephew, Mohammed Ablorh, predicting a bright future for the sport and said another world champion from his lineage.
“This is my nephew [Mohammed Ablorh] and if you see the way they are fighting, this is how I started. when you see them you see the way I was when I was young. If you see my nephew here, you’ll know that he’s going to be a world champion in future. We’re going to have more world champions from Azumah Nelson’s family.
After Fight Night 9, Bronx Gym leapfrogged Ghana Prisons to the top position on the league log with 21 points after a spectacular display by Emmanuel Quartey who recorded a second-round technical knockout victory over David Lartey of Sea View Gym in a super lightweight contest.
Both Bronx Gym and second-placed Prisons each boast seven victories and two losses and are tied on 21 points, while Akotoku Academy and Ghana Armed Forced occupy the third and fourth positions on the league table respectively.
At the bottom of the log is Seconds Out Gym which has three points from one win in nine bouts in the competition.
Source: GraphicOnline