The countdown is over and tonight at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, United States, Emmanuel Tagoe puts his world title credentials under the spotlight against American, Gerardo Robles in a fight for the IBF International Junior Lightweight belt.
For Tagoe who will be fighting in the United Stated for the first time, the clash against Robles entails more than the title at stake with victory setting him up for a potential crack at the IBF world title by the end of the year.
It’s also a stage for the Ghanaian showmaster to answer his critics and prove that he can take on the big boys of world boxing even in the US.
Baffour Gyan, Manager and Agent of WBA International Junior Lightweight champion, Emmanuel Tagoe AKA Game Boy is promising to stage a world title fight in Ghana for the boxer should he overcome American Gerardo Robles this coming Friday August 9 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, USA.
Gyan, elder brother of Ghana national soccer team captain, Asamoah Gyan and a former Ghana international himself, is personally in camp with Tagoe as the boxer prepares to face Robles in his first fight in the United States with the IBF Intercontinental Junior Lightweight belt at stake.
Baffour is not only supervising the assiduous training sessions Tagoe is undergoing at the Ten Goose Boxing Gym in Los Angeles, but the President of the Ghana based BabyJet Promotions and Management is also busy holding talks with the IBF for Tagoe to get a crack at the world title itself before the end of the year against incumbent champion, Argenis Mendez who defends the IBF Junior Lightweight belt against Arash Usmanee on August 23 at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, New York.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku – World title chasing Emmanuel Tagoe AKA Game Boy makes a return to the ring on April 20 when he fights Filipino, Ronald Pontillas in Accra for the vacant WBO Africa Junior Lightweight (a title Tagoe once held) and vacant WBA International Junior Lightweight belts live on Supersport.
The flamboyant Ghanaian showman will be fighting for the first time under the wing of BabyJet Promotions since signing a 3-year management and promotional deal with the syndicate owned by Ghana national soccer team captain, Asamoah Gyan.
BabyJet Promotions have already outlined comprehensive plans to get Tagoe (20-1, 8 KOs) to world championship glory next year and the fight against 23 year old Pontillas from Philippines is the first of many intended to keep the Ghanaian in shape and improving.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku: It is official, BabyJet Promotions and Management have reached a 3-year partnership deal with WBA International Junior Lightweight champion, Emmanuel Tagoe that will see the promotional syndicate owned by Ghana national soccer team captain, Asamoah Gyan manage and promote the promising boxer.
24 year old Tagoe, famously nicknamed Game Boy won the hearts of Asamoah Gyan and the BabyJet Promotions team by defeating his great local rival, George Ashie by a unanimous points decision back on November 10 last year at the Accra Sports Stadium in what was BabyJet Promotions’ maiden event, a win that won him the 3-year contract with an option for BabyJet Promotions to renew.
Financial details of the deal were not revealed at Wednesday’s press conference in Accra to officially announce the agreement, but according to BabyJet Promotions CEO, Sammy Anim-Addo, they have paid up Tagoe’s past managers, promoters and everyone who had previously helped the boxer in his career. BabyJet Promotions have also reiterated their belief in the potential of the 24 year old boxer to become a world champion and have outlined a comprehensive roadmap of fights leading to world championship glory by the first quarter of next year.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku – Emmanuel Tagoe lived up to his word by claiming a majority decision victory over compatriot George Ashie as their much trumpeted ‘Clash of Kings’ headliner finally came to a head Saturday night in Accra.
Tagoe, famously called Game Boy had gone into the fight telling anyone who cared to listen that he was going to defeat his big local rival through a points decision and how true his words came alive as the verdict was read after twelve pulsating rounds in which neither boxer could break the foe.
In the end, 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 the three judges had their scorecards tallying in favour of Tagoe who claimed the vacant WBA International Lightweight belt as a result. The crafty GameBoy who entered the ring carried aloft in a palanquin amid carrying a sword like a king, was crowned king and improved his record to 19-1, 8 KOs whilst condemning the amiable Ashie to the fourth defeat of his 28 fight career.
“First of all, I thank God for giving me this victory. I also thank BabyJet Promotions because I’ve wanted this fight for more than six years to prove that I’m the best in the country but never got it. So we thank God that thanks to BabyJet, we have seen the best,” a very satisfied Tagoe told Ghanaian journalists at the unprecedented press conference immediately after the fight at the Accra Stadium Media Centre early hours of Sunday morning.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku – All is set for the expected biggest fight night in Ghanaian boxing history Saturday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium when the curtain is finally drawn on the much trumpeted ‘Clash of Kings’ maiden promotion by Ghana national soccer team skipper Asamoah Gyan’s BabyJet Promotions.
A tense weigh-in session invaded by fans galore pledging varying allegiance to either Emmanuel Tagoe or George Ashie who clash in the headliner and a much anticipated showdown which has two of the finest trainers this country can boast also in the respective corners. Legend Azumah Nelson pits his technical aptitude up against Godwin Djanie Alloway, arguably Ghana’s most outstanding boxing coach, the same man who trains Joshua Clottey.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku – Despite the tragic death of his mum in a ghastly motor accident barely four days before fight night, Asamoah Gyan’s debut as boxing promoter will still come off Saturday night at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the newly appointed Ghana national soccer team captain expected in the country to supervise the ‘Clash of Kings’ bill.
Former IBF Intercontinental and WBO Africa champion at Junior Lightweight, Emmanuel Tagoe (18-1, 8 KOs) and reigning Commonwealth Junior Lightweight champion George Ashie (23-3-1, 16 KOs) clash for the WBA International Lightweight belt in the main event of the 6-bout bill of Gyan’s BabyJet Promotions.
An electric atmosphere is expected beginning with Friday morning’s weigh-in and press conference which will set the stage for the real thing the next day. With both boxers boasting a vociferous fan base, Saturday night’s fight extravaganza at the nation’s number one sports centre could also possibly be the biggest boxing event ever staged in the history of the West African country famous for producing world champions.
Some of Asamoah Gyan’s footballer and musician friends are also expected in tow to lend their full support to the part-time musician with their presence and performances in-between fights.
By Prince Dornu-Leiku: George Ashie (23-3-1, 16 KOs) is calm and calculating, patiently waiting for Saturday November 10, 2012 when he mounts the ring than blab now of what he has up his fist for rival Emmanuel Tagoe, 18-1, 8 KOs. Ashie, nicknamed Red Tiger is promising to discipline Tagoe who goes by the alias Game Boy but will talk no further pointing out that the ring will determine who the true champion is.
“No problem at all. If he talks, it doesn’t mean he has fought already. Boxing is in the ring, not by talking so if the day is finally here, we shall all see what he can do. Let’s pray that the day of the fight does get here, that day has not come yet,” Ashie has told the Ghana-based website www.sportsinghana.com.
Former IBF Intercontinental and WBO Africa Junior Lightweight champ Emmanuel Tagoe on the other hand is so confident of beating Commonwealth Junior Lightweight titlist George Ashie when the duo face-off at the Accra Sports Stadium for the WBA International Lightweight title next weekend, so much he is setting the conditions Ashie has to abide by in order not to get completely humiliated.