Undefeated Ghanaian boxer, Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, put himself in readiness for a world title shot in Las Vegas after beating Javier Chacon to defend his WBO International Junior Featherweight belt last Saturday night at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Dogboe proved too strong for the former world title contender after stopping the Argentine in the sixth round via a Technical Knockout in front of a packed crowd, including former President Jerry John Rawlings and boxing legend Azumah Nelson.

With the victory well cemented, World Boxing Organization (WBO) representative in Ghana and a former Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) chief, Samir Captan, says he expects Dogboe to mount the ring to challenge for a world title fight by the end of this year or early next year.

He told the Graphic Sports in a post-fight interview that the time was ripe for Dogboe to storm Las Vegas to prove his talent to the world by ending the country’s search for another world title glory.

“With this performance, Dogboe will now have the opportunity to challenge for a world title later this year or early next year.

“This is the time for him to go to Las Vegas to prove his talent at the world stage and to the entire nation by ending the country’s drought,” Mr Captan said.

Argentine Chacon retired on the stool at the start of round seven having complained to his corner about an injury to his left hand after being subjected to a lot of punishment by the Ghanaian.

Dogboe attacked his opponent right from the first round as he went straight at the South American with ferocious punches with the Argentine forced to defend deep by the Ghanaian.

The 22-year-old title holder continued his swift display in round two and three after connecting several punches and leaving Chacon with no antidote but to endure the punishment.

In round four, both boxers went at each other but it was Chacon who mastered a left hook that caught Dogboe on the jaw but managed to revive himself.

A resilient Dogboe continued his dominance in the fifth and sixth rounds after pounding on Chacon by landing both left and right hooks that nearly sent Chacon to the canvas but the strong Argentine stood firm to continue.

The victory improved Dogboe’s record to an impressive (17-0, 11 KO’s), with Chacon is now at (25-4-1, 7 KO’s) after the bout.

Speaking after his impressive win on the night, Dogboe said he was ready to go to Las Vegas and follow in the footsteps of legendary Azumah Nelson by delivering a world title for the nation since that had been his focus throughout his career.

“I won but had to keep my composure to do so because Chacon is a tough and tricky boxer who can cause any upset at any given time.

“The nation wants me to walk in the shoes of legendary boxer Azumah Nelson and I am ready to challenge for a world title since that had been my focus throughout my career,” Dogboe said.

www.graphic.com.gh/sports/sports-news/dogboe-close-to-world-title-shot.html

By David Finger

Isaac Dogboe and Javier Chacon took part in a final press conference on Friday at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Accra, Ghana before today’s fight at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra. Both fighters were respectful but confident as they talked about the upcoming clash.

When asked if he was ready for the fight Isaac Dogboe electrified the crowd with a forceful response. “(I’m the) warrior of Africa! I am always ready!”

Dogboe recognized he was facing off against a world class opponent in Chacon, brother of former WBO featherweight champion Juan Pablo Chacon. Javier Chacon has twice fought for a WBA world title and has won five in a row. But Dogboe nonetheless remained supremely confident and even directed a message to Chacon at the press conference.

“I want him to understand I possess a God-given strength and wisdom. I’m going to discipline a real warrior. He’s not in my league. Everything he brings, I have an antidote for.”

Chacon was respectful but also promised a victory.

“I’m here to win,” Chacon told the international media present. “I have been injured for awhile but I’m fit now and my focus is to win this fight.”

“I feel right now Isaac, he’ maturing into a real top class fighter,” matchmaker Mike Altamura added. “This is the last roadblock (to a world title fight).”

Altamura then suggested that the billing of the fight, “The Battle to Vegas”, might be renamed if Isaac performance exceeds expectation.

“If possible, let’s make it the Battle of Accra and bring the world title to Ghana.”

www.fightnews.com/dogboe-confident-final-press-conference-im-always-ready/1501

By David Finger

Former Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings, who remains one of the most popular former heads of state on the African continent, met with both Isaac Dogboe and Javier Chacon on Friday afternoon ahead of their WBO international bantamweight title fight on Saturday, July 22.

Rawlings, a noted boxing enthusiast, listened intently as referee Tony Weeks spoke about the honor of officiating a fight in Ghana. Weeks then presented President Rawlings with a small pair of boxing gloves and a copy of a seminar he had done for officials. 

But the former President, although gracious, did admit he was rooting for the local boy. When Isaac promised a victory on Saturday, the former President laughed and said “I hope so.”

Rawlings, who was a strong supporter of Ghana’s boxing program during his tenure as president, is widely regarded as the father of democracy in Ghana. Rawlings had initially taken power in a coup in 1979 and eventually was elected president in 1992. After having served two terms as president, and constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, Rawlings refused to allow his supporters to push for a constitutional amendment that would allow him to remain in power. He then willingly handed over power to a member of the opposition party (who defeated his Vice President) in 2001, a moment that was widely seen as the emergence of Ghana as a leader of the democratic movement in West Africa.

www.fightnews.com/former-ghanian-president-meets-boxers/1546