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Top 5 Ghanaian boxing prospects of 2016

Pulse.com.gh editor Godfred Akoto Boafo takes a look at the top 5 Ghanaian boxing prospects for the year 2016

Raphael”Sweet Pea" Mensah 26-0-20KO's Lightweight

Mensah is a hard hitting tactician who has been flying under the radar on the local boxing scene. An excellent counter puncher with a chin of steel, Mensah is yet to grab the headline fight his talent deserves. His camp has been chasing Emmanuel “GameBoy” Tagoe for a year but that fight seems off the table for now. To make a real impression in the boxing world though, Mensah needs to take his talents abroad where he will be tested by a higher calibre opponent.

Richard Commey 23-0-21 28KO’s Lightweight

The 28 year old is trained by Karl Lokko and currently fights under popular European promoter Nisse Sauerland. Commey is arguably Ghana’s brightest chance for a world title in 2016 after being named to fight in a final eliminator for the full IBF lightweight crown. He is a fan favorite with his powerful offensive style. Commey is a rangy operator who likes to break down his opponent with a jab that is reminiscent of Ike Quartey in his prime. He is also a boxing rarity in that he fights regularly as his four fights in the past year will attest. The only detriment to him reaching the top could be himself.

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Isaac Dogboe 9-0 -5KO's Featherweight

The former amateur star is climbing the Ghanaian boxing ladder at speed. Dogboe stands at only 1.67m but don’t let that fool you. He is a fast and furious puncher with solid fundamentals that belie his youth (he is still 21).Trained by his father John, Dogboe has the advantage of starting his career abroad before relocating to Ghana and has dominated his last 3 opponents.If he continues to cut a path through the featherweight division as he is doing now, a Commonwealth title shot will not be far away before the year is over.

Maxwell Awuku 42-3-28KO’s Lightweight

Awuku is another who has operated in obscurity which is a real shame considering his quality. He is an experienced fighter who seems to have been hampered by the politics of boxing promotions with less talented fighters in his division getting better fights. Awuku is an elegant fighter in the mold of Raymond Narh at his peak but really needs to fight a name opponent this year to move his career to the next stage.

Fredrick "General Okunka"Lawson 24-1-20KO's Welterweight

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When a world class trainer like Abel Hernandez takes you under his wing, you must have something special. Lawson lost a bit of that when he retired on his seat against Kevin Bizier in 2015 in his first career loss but he has the talent to recover from it. Lawson is a powerful welterweight but needs to work on his average defense if he is to maximize his potential.2016 could be a make or break year for him if he gets the right opponent.

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