'Albert Mensah signed coaching contract n his own'- US-based trainer replies Napoleon Tagoe

Chicago-based Ghanaian boxing trainer Joseph Awinongya has rubbished allegations that he has stolen a boxer from Will Power Gym's Napoleon Tagoe. After guiding Albert Mensah to an IBF Intercontinental title victory in the US last week, Awinongya was accused by Napoleon Tagoe to have taken his boxer.

According to Coach Tagoe, Awinongya and a former General Secretary of the Ghana Boxing Authority, Justice Agbeko signed a trainer and managerial contract with the boxer when he already had a trainer and a manager. When reached by Joy Sports for his comments, Coach Awinongya confirmed that he had signed a trainer's agreement with the boxer before the fight but maintains that the boxer has not signed on a new manager.

“The decision to sign a contract lies with the manager and the boxer and Napoleon doesn't come in at all. I have signed a coaching contract with Albert Mensah because I like to do things properly. Here in America before anything is done you have to sign a coaching contract before anything is done,” Coach Awinongya said in a telephone interview from his base. According to Napoleon Tagoe, a former African Champion, he is still the trainer for Albert Mensah while Mr Freddy Annan of Base Sports Management, UK as his manager.

Albert Mensah is expected to return from the US next week to talk things over with his long time trainer Napoleon Tagoe. The boxer is expected to earn a good rating in the welterweight division that can open up an opportunity for a world title bout soon.

Coach Joseph Awinongya who is also a retired boxer also trains Osumanu Adama who recently lost an opportunity to win the IBF middleweight title against Daniel Geale in Australia.

Story by Nathaniel Attoh/ Joy Sports