Ampofo August 25, 2022 5 min read
Fight Preview analysis and Prediction.
Dennis Kweku Moore – boxing analyst writer and commentator – (moorecycling67@gmail.com).
Over the past few months all my interest in the inky pleasure so far as boxing is concerned has been in the lightweight division,infact with special emphasis on my very own Ghanaian duo of Richard commey and Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe.
I had scribbled similar predictions on Commey’s previous engagements including that of Issa Chaniev, and Vasily Lomachenko with near accuracy.
This upcoming delight in the light welterweight or Super lightweight division bothers Ghanaians a lot and for that matter would want to read from the ultimate Sports desk how this weekends fight is going to be.
Preview:
This division harbours “wicked” boxers who have been tagged “humble lions” in their own space. It embodies the likes of Josh Taylor (19-0,13KOs), from the United Kingdom who is clothed with the WBC,WBC,WBO,IBF and RING straps.
Then comes another Brit , Jack Caterall (26-1,13KOs). Regis Prograis( 27-1-23KOs), from the United States, Jose Ramirez (27-1-17KOs), Jose Zepeda, Gary Russel (16-0-16KOs) also from the United States, Arnold Barboza (27-0-10KOs) ,Shohjajon Ergashev( 23-0-20KOs) from Uzbekistan.
This register is fearsome. Simply deadly for new visitors like Ghana’s own idol Richard commey.
But lo and behold, the battle lines have been drawn and the Accra native is set to sparkle and seek to extinguish the sniper’s nuzzle in Minnesota this weekend.
Commey:
“Azonto” as he is nicknamed, has inflated in weight to challenge a fresh landlord who looks comfortable already in the 140 weight division. Pedraza has already tasted his first defeat in the light welterweight hub at the hands of Zepeda and would relish a lick on the ambitious Ghanaian to ride through the ranks.
Commey ,after losing to Ukrainian poster boy, Vasily Lomachenko, in dramatic fashion has looked beyond the loss and positively catapulted himself into his own destiny. That is brave decision. A decision his management feels would suit his current trend of body talk.
Commey (30-4-27KOs) 35 years of age is moving up for this fight on Saturday night knowing very well the future implications. He was last out in December where he was pretty well dominated by Loma in New York. That was his second loss in three fights,the other TKO loss was against Teofimo Lopez in 2019. The years are ticking by on the pugilist clock. Age is depleting the ambitions of the Ghanaian. And so this is the time. This should be the quest for a second world title dream.
Pedraza:
The Puerto Rican’s intentions of becoming a professional boxer was made public on January 3, 2011. He rose rapidly in his strides with impressive stoppages over the likes of Felix Rivera,Corben Page and Pedro Antonio Salcedo. Pedraza has fought a Ghanaian in the person of Herbert Quartey with the latter being stopped by the referee due to the incessant punishment from the Puerto Rican.
On June 13,2015 Pedraza captured the vacant international Boxing Federation Junior lightweight World Championship when he defeated Russia’s Andrey Klimov by unanimous decision and proceeded to defend the title on two occasions.
Interestingly, on January 14, 2017, he lost his IBF title to Gervonta “Tank” Davis via a merciless seventh – round knockout.
But nonetheless the focused Puerto Rican pursued his ambitions and finally entered the lightweight division with a unanimous decision victory over Raymondo Beltran to become a two – division World champion.
He failed in his unification bout on the 8th of December 2018 when he lost by a unanimous decision against Lomachenko .
His last fight was yet another unanimous decision loss to Jose Ramirez in March.
Analysis:
Both boxers possesses unique and quality style of fighting.
Richard commey is well respected for his eyeball aggression and that trademark right hand is simply masterpiece. The Ghanaian’s approach to this fight is phenomenal and tactical. A leap from the 135 pound division to the 140 pounds terrain. He knows he cannot leave any stone unturned into securing his future in the Sport. Commey cannot afford to lose. His reach must come to bare and he needs to avoid any stray punch from the Puerto Rican especially when the latter attacks from the left side.
The Ghanaian would have the upper hand in the first three rounds if he is able to frustrate the witty Puerto Rican. Infact, Pedraza has in stock a great curriculum vitae, showing only four losses out of 33 engagements. This is testimony that that chap can be troublesome.
Commey needs to again utilize the ring space. He needs to move and move. And score up more jabs until an opening avails itself for the righthand damage.
Pedraza on the other hand is slick. And the mental advantage of having engaged credible opponents will beef up his confidence. Certainly.
He has indicated he needs to win this fight at all cost and this should tell you he is going to be the aggressor. For sure.
Commey should reflect on his fight with Isa Chaniev. He needs to tame Pedraza until he locates an opening. Pedraza has got some good chin work. His footwork is splendid. But if commey is able to avoid any scary body shot or an in-fight model, frustration will surely set in for the Puerto Rican.
Predictions:
Saturday’s fight will be very fierce. Both boxers would want to be welcomed by inmates in that division and perhaps adjust their presence to suit their fortunes at 140.
Commey is ferocious. He’s got the surprise righthand killer punch. If that punch lands through, Pedraza will shake and retreat. He will spill over in advancing fear of being hit. And then the Ghanaian would capitalize.
It is likely,when any in-fight takes place (something I dont wish to see), one of the boxers might visit the canvas on a knockdown. Surely it has to be the Puerto Rican.
It is a close shave battle but from the ultimate Sports ‘ conundrum, Richard “Azonto” Commey has that higher edge of winning the fight via a unanimous decision.
Certainly, Saturday’s hostilities would be an ambitious victory for the “Azonto” man and a reverse of a sniper’s dream for the Puerto Rican.
