Azumah Nelson: I will produce more world champions for Ghana

Ghanaian boxing legend Azumah Nelson has declared he will produce the nation's next set of boxing world champions, 15 years after quitting active boxing.

Azumah who remains Africa's greatest boxer runs a gym at his Achimota residence and hopes to soon make it a haven for world beaters. Africa's greatest boxer Azumah Nelson has declared Ghanaian boxing legend, Azumah Nelson says the nation's lack of high class boxing trainers has resulted in the nation's inability to produce more world champions.

“We have a lot of them here, but it depends on who will train them. The people who are training them are not up to the level,” he told Joy Sports in an exclusive interview.

According to the International Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee, he has an eye for potential world champions and will produce some within the next three years. “Don't worry soon I will start producing great champions,” he said.

The legend now runs intensive training sessions at his boxing gym situated within his Achimota residence in Accra. Among the boxers are Emmanuel 'the Game Boy' Tagoe who holds the WBO Africa and IBF Intercontinental super featherweight titles and undefeated Frederick Lawson who is an Olympian in his camp.

Before these two the only boxer Azumah had led to the ring side was Kofi Manu who failed two attempts at annexing the national welterweight title in Ghana.

Meanwhile, Azumah Nelson has been named one of 12 greatest boxers of all time by the World Boxing Council and will be honoured in Las Vegas, Nevada next week.

According to him the event will also be used to raise funds for retired boxers who are enduring economic hardships. “There are some retired boxers who are not feeling well and it's difficult to get something to eat so we will be raising funds for them. And to be selected among the 12 best boxers I feel great,” he said.

Azumah Nelson who won the WBC featherweight title in 1984 against Wilfredo Gomez, dominated the division until the mid 90s. He has also made history as the first African to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame

Story by Ghana/ Nathaniel Attoh/ Joy Sports