Commey ready to deliver world title for Ghana

Ghanaian fighter, Richard Oblitey Commey, says he is determined to win the nation's ninth world title when he comes up against Russia's Isa Chaniev for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World lightweight belt at the Ford Centre in Frisco, Texas, tonight.

Commey (27-2, 24 KOs) has described the bout with his Russian opponent as a must win and a career defining moment for him.

Following his controversial split decision loss to Robert Easter Jr three years ago, the 31-year-old felt it was a stolen verdict for the American whom he dropped in the eighth round in their fierce encounter.

He, however, noted that with hard work and opting to fight under the tutelage of renowned trainer, Andre Rozier, everything was in place for him to annex the vacant IBF strap in their bout later today.

Speaking in an official press conference last Thursday, Commey said: "It means the world to me.

This is the opportunity I have been working for since I started boxing, and thank God I've got the opportunity to fight come Saturday".

"After my fight with Robert Easter Jr, I felt as if I won that fight. I kept working.

I have got a good management team and I met Andre Rozier.

I feel as if everything is working for me. I've got to do this. I kept working, and here I am today.

I have to win this fight. No matter what, I have to win this fight.

It means a whole lot to me.

It's all about winning. That's it," he added.

With Commey installed as the mandatory challenger to the IBF crown, he was ordered by the sanctioning body to challenge Chaniev following champion Mikey Garcia's decision to vacate the belt in favour of a welterweight clash with Errol Spence Jr.

However, Chaniev, who will be making his maiden appearance at the biggest stage of his career, will be fighting for the first time outside Eastern Europe.

The 26-year-old Russian told the media that he was ready to showcase his talent by winning the most important fight of his life when he comes up against Commey.