Ninvalle meets legendary African fighter Azumah Nelson

Jul 25, 2023 Sports

Kaieteur Sports – President of the Guyana Boxing Association yesterday met with former world featherweight and super featherweight champion Azumah Nelson. The two met at Nelson’s residence in Accra, Ghana and discussed how the former champion can assist in the development of boxing in Guyana. ‘The Professor’ was one of the most feared boxers of the 80s and 90s and has been acclaimed the Greatest African fighter of all time.

Roots Tech noted – ‘With his fierce punches and vivacious courage, Azumah Nelson compelled millions around the world to search for Ghana on the World map. He represented the spirit of Ghana and gave hope to millions during the country’s dire moments in the late 70’s, 80’s and in the 90’s.’

Oxford Business Group said – ‘Nelson’s professional fighting career began in 1979. The impact of this would arguably become as important for boxing on the continent as the Rumble in the Jungle – the 1974 fight that took place in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) pitting Muhammad Ali against reigning world champion George Foreman.

For years, Nelson’s career was mostly a Ghanaian affair; he was a local hero revered by his countryman, famed for 13 consecutive victories. But this changed in the summer of 1982. In Madison Square Garden, New York, the unknown Ghanaian boxer fought the World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Salvador Sánchez. The Mexican pugilist knocked out Nelson on the 15th round, but the boxing world became suddenly aware of the underdog-type of boxing talent that had been brewing in Ghana. Worldwide acclaim came two years later, when Nelson fought Wilfredo Gómez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, winning the 11-round fight to become the WBC featherweight champion.

GBA President and Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle meets former world featherweight and super featherweight champion Azumah Nelson.

Nelson went on to become a three-time world champion of boxing in two separate categories, winning the WBC featherweight title once, and the WBC super featherweight title twice, first in 1988 by defeating Mario Martínez in Los Angeles, and later in 1995, by reclaiming the title against Gabriel Ruelas. He retired in 1998, with 39 wins, six losses and two draws. His record and status led him to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004.

He defeated 28 of his opponents by knockout, and the nickname, the Professor, was attributed in part by the lessons he would dish out in the ring. But these days, the 54-year-old saves most of his knowledge accumulated over the years for a new crop of young Ghanaian boxers who he hopes to turn into champions.

In his entire boxing career, Azuma’s total number of fights is 47 and he won 39 of them. There were six losses and two draws for the 65 year old Nelson, who was born 19th July, 1958.

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Azumah Nelson, Director, GBA, President, Sports, Steve Ninvalle

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