Dogboe defends WBO Africa belt in Accra tomorrow

By David Finger
Photo: Paul Dogboe

Ghana Africa’s favorite son, undefeated WBO Africa Featherweight champion Isaac Dogboe (14-0, 9 KOs), returns to action tomorrow night at the Police Officer’s Social and Fitness Centre in Accra in what is already being called one of the most eagerly anticipated fights in Ghanaian history since the retirement of Azumah Nelson. The WBO #12 ranked featherweight will fight a regional unification fight with WBO #15 ranked Oriental Featherweight champion Neil John Tabanao (13-1, 9 KOs) in a ten round fight which will also be for the WBC Youth Featherweight title. Tabanao is seen as the first major test for the popular 21-year old former Olympian, as the Filipino is coming into the fight on the heels of a knockout over undefeated Ibrahim Balla back in June. However, there is no question that Tabanao will be coming into very hostile territory as Dogboe has already emerged as one of the most popular athletes in Ghana.

After his last fight, a knockout over undefeated Edward Kakembo, the popular former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings, entered the ring to endorse the local boy. Watching the fight from ringside Rawlings said after the win that Dogboe “now has the responsibility to carry on from where Azumah Nelson left off. Let’s give him all the support and all the good fights to make sure he captures the world Featherweight title.”

Most observers feel that the winner of the fight will easily move into the WBO top 10, and a title fight for the winner may be in the works as well.

As was the case with the previous Accra boxing card, the Aborigines Beach Resort/Rising Star Africa Promotions card is stacked with an undercard featuring some of the most popular local contenders and prospects in Ghana. In the co-main event Super Middleweight contender Obodai Sai (28-2, 21 KOs) of Ghana looks to crack into the WBO rankings as he takes on Idrissa Kabore(10-1, 6 KOs) of Burkino Faso in a fight for the vacant WBO Africa Super Middleweight championship. This will be Kabore’s second shot at a regional title, having lost in a fight for the IBF International Super Welterweight belt against Frank Haroche Horta back in 2008. However, Kabore’s career has been plagued by inactivity, having fought only twice since losing to Horta. For Sai, the former Commonwealth Super Welterweight, the brawler needs an impressive win to break into the world rankings. But he has found success in his hometown of Accra, having won all of his 28 fights in his home country. In fact, for Sai, it is overseas where he struggles. Both of his loses came outside of Africa.

Also on the card middleweight Agoe Ashong (9-1, 4 KOs) looks to win the vacant WBU middleweight championship against debuting Anise Amuzu. Little is known of the rookie, who finds himself in the most unusual situation of fighting for a championship in his pro debut. But for Ashong the idea of fighting for a belt early isn’t so outrageous. Ashong won the vacant West African Boxing Union Welterweight title in only his fifth professional fight.

Super Middleweight Ishmael “The Black Roy Jones” Tetteh (31-13-2, 18 KOs) looks to rebound from his loss to Luke Blackledge for the Commonwealth championship as takes on debuting Ayi Ayitey. Rounding off the card Ernest Amuzu (21-2, 20 KOs) takes on David Okine (0-2) in a scheduled eight round light heavyweight fight. Undefeated Sherrif Quaye (9-0-1, 6 KOs) battles Moses Dodzi (2-5, 0 KOs) in an eight round lightweight fight. Super middleweight prospect Emmanuel Marty (8-0, 8 KOs) is slated to fight George Bamson (3-7-1, 2 KOs) in another scheduled 8-rounder. And rounding off the card Super middleweight Adam Taylor (1-1, 1 KO) fights for the first time outside of the UK as he takes on local journeyman Selyvanus Allotey (4-16, 4 KOs) in an eight round light heavyweight fight.

The first fight is slated to take place at 7PM. Tickets start at 100 GHC for general admission, 500 GHC for VIP, and 1000 GHC for ringside.