Richard Commey

Richard Commey

Ghana has a proud pedigree of producing world champion fighters. Over the past 40 years, just to name a few, David “D.K. Poison” Kotey, Azumah “The Professor” Nelson and Ike “Bazooka” Quartey have earned glory for Ghana and brought home world title belts.

Richard Commey says he also wants to bring home a world championship belt and add his name to the list of great Ghanaian boxers.

The undefeated (23-0, 21 KOs), 28-year-old Commey has put himself in position to win the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world lightweight crown after winning all four of his fights in 2015, including a seventh round TKO of South Africa’s Thompson Mokwana.

Commey is a power puncher, and his career results reflect his hard-hitting style. Only two of his 23 fights have gone the distance, and Commey won both by unanimous decision.

The IBF says the Ghanaian will fight in a final elimination bout for its world title in 2016. An opponent and date is expected to be named in the next few weeks.

Ghanaian fighter Richard Commey throws another punch.

Ghanaian fighter Richard Commey throws another punch. Photo: Jim Fenwick

“’Whoever I face, I’m sure it will be a tough test as it will be against a world class opponent,” says Commey, “but I’m undefeated and I have no fear of any fighter.”

Commey’s promoter, Nisse Sauerland, is confident his fighter can win another world title for Ghana. “He has the skill set and punching power to beat anyone at 135 lbs.,” says Sauerland, “and I believe it’s only a matter of time before Ghana has a new world champion.”

If Commey wins the elimination bout, it’s likely he would then meet another unbeaten fighter, IBF Lightweight champion Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy of Cuba.