The three boxers won their respective title bouts at the event to start 2017 on a winning note.

The event was part of the country’s 60th independence celebrations and it offered Commey, Lawson and Micah the chance to boost their bids for respective world title shots.

Commey took on Belgian-based Hedi Slimani in the main event for the WBC International Silver Lightweight belt and it turned out to be a close contest.

Commey was fighting for the first time in 2017 and he went for Slimani from the onset. He opened a cut beneath the Tunisian’s left eye but could not push the initiative for a stoppage.

His opponent recovered to go the entire distance but Commey’s early domination proved pivotal as the judges scored the bout 116-112, 117-113 and 116-112 for Commey.

His record improved to 25 wins and two losses while Slimani fell to 26 wins and 3 defeats.

Frederick Lawson made a winning return to the ring in his WBC international silver welterweight title bout against Sakima Mullings of Jamaica.

Lawson had been away for two years following a broken jaw in a fight with Canada’s Kevin Bizier. The fight was an eliminator for the IBF Welterweight title shot with then champion Kell Brook.

But on Saturday, he showed good skill to edge the fight 116-113, 114-114 and 119-109 on the scorecards.

Duke Micah added the WBC International Bantamweight title to his Commonwealth Bantamweight title after knocking out Mexico’s Jonathan Aguilar in the 9th round in the first bout of the night.

The event was attended by the President Nana Akuffo-Addo and former boxing champions, “The Professor” Azumah Nelson, Ike “Bazooka” Quartey and Alfred “Cobra” Kotey.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings was in attendance together with the Sports Minister Isaac Asiamah.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ghana’s Commey, Lawson, Micah claim wins on Freedom Fight Night appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The bout forms part of the Freedom Fight Night boxing event which comes off at the Bukom Boxing Arena. The event is associated with the country’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

A win in Saturday’s bout will move the Commey up the WBC rankings and urge him closer to a chance at a world title fight.

Commey lost his first chance at a world title in an IBF Lightweight bout against Robert Eater Jnr in September last year but he remains confident that he can defeat the Belgian Slimani as he begins his quest for a world title.

“I never take any fight as a joke, so I prepare and train as hard as I can for every fight that comes my way. So I am really looking forward to it and I am very excited. This is a WBC Silver international and winning it will push me up in the rankings and that where I belong. Although I’ve had a couple of losses in the last year, this is a new year and a new era.” The bout which will be held at the Bukom Sports Emporium will be Commey’s first appearance at the arena and he spoke about the importance of putting up a good performance for the home crowd.

“It’s not just about winning; it’s about winning with style. And when I say with style I don’t necessarily knocking your opponent down, but exhibiting the boxing skills that you’ve got. I think this is a great opportunity for me to come back to winning ways, and also to fight in front of my home fans, and I’m just looking forward to winning in style,” he added.

Fellow Ghanaian boxers, Duke Micah and Fredrick Lawson, will also fight on the bill.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Richard Commey eyes world title appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.