Soldier on, Isaac Dogboe and team
The path to world championship glory is strewn with several hurdles, sporting, legal, business, even political.
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Yet, the burgeoning talent, the force and the support behind the World Boxing Organisation Africa featherweight titlist, Isaac Dogboe, make that eventuality convincing.
His dominance and his sixth round knockout of his loud-mouthed Ugandan opponent, Edward Kakembo, to retain his title at the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday demonstrates his readiness to further enrich his burgeoning career [15-0 (10KOs)], with an eye on capturing the world title in that division.
It is worth noting that great expectations weigh on the capable shoulders of ‘The Royal Storm’, Dogboe. Naturally, it begs the question, is he ready to conquer the world of featherweights?
Fortuitously, WBO Africa featherweight champ Dogboe bears a lineage of world title compatriots, David Kotei 'Poison' and Azumah Nelson, in that weight division from which to draw inspiration.
Per the record, D.K. Poison was more experienced [33-2-1 (20 KOs)] by the time he won the African featherweight title, thanks to his whirlwind destruction of his Tunisian opponent, Taber Belhassan, in less than 60 seconds in the first of their scheduled 15 rounds on February 2, 1974 in Tunis.
However, Hall of Famer 'Professor' Azumah Nelson was barely ready when he launched onto the world stage. The ink had barely dried on the chronicling of his 12th pro record when he got the chance to fight the late great Salvador Sanchez for the WBC title.
Though Nelson lost that world title shot when the referee stopped the fight in Round 15 on his second visit to the canvas, Nelson was leading on the cards of two of the judges — 116-114, 116-114 — having dropped Sanchez in Round 8.
"That was the arrival of Azumah (Nelson)," Seth Asah, a departed member of the Ringcraft Syndicate, the ex-managers of Nelson, recounted in a Ghana boxing publication.
So, really, Team Dogboe are primed to launch an onslaught on the world title proper. Before that happens, however, a lot of work remains to be done by his management as had been the case in all world title aspirants.
Typically, managements wield significant muscle, great associations and connections with mutual business interests, in shaping and turning their wards into world champions.
In the case of D.K. Poison, during the reign of the late Head of State, Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, with Col. Nkegbe as the Commissioner of Sports, the government set up a boxing syndicate to manage the affairs of the potential world champion. It was chaired by the late Justice Daniel Francis Annan, one-time Speaker of Parliament in the Fourth Republic.
Other stalwarts included the vice-chairman, Col. George Slater, Ohene Djan, Mowbray Elliott and John Allotei Coffie, later known in life by his stool name Nii Ajenkwa III, who later became the Vice-President of the World Boxing Council.
Likewise, the Ringcraft Syndicate, comprising the Chairman, John Kermah, Seth Asah and Dr Oko Kwatekwei, wielded a world of boxing expertise in steering the career of Azumah to world boxing glory, backed by strong political backing of the Jerry John Rawlings administration.
However daunting the workload presents, it is not impossible to attain, given the two examples cited. While Team Dogboe plot his ascension, it is my great honour and privilege to congratulate his management, the Ghana Boxing Authority, promoters, match-makers and the entire boxing community for their hand in the success of Dogboe so far.
To Dogboe, I need not say too much. If you want to gain the prize, you've got to pay the price of discipline, focus and great sacrifice for the prize, status and symbol of a world boxing champion as you attempt to walk in the path of D.K. Poison, Azumah, Nana Yaw Konadu, Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Joshua Clottey and Joseph Agbeko.
Inspiration abounds, given the charge by Ghana's number one boxing fan, ex-President Rawlings, for you to continue the prodigious exploits of Hall of Famer, Azumah. That may be quite a load. Yet, you can, evidenced by your handiwork, to date.
So, soldier on, warrior Isaac and Team Dogboe, with great discipline and good management, to add to the haul of world champions for our dear Mother Ghana.