Kpakpo Allotey sure of winning title

Accra, April 16, GNA - Ghana's world title hopeful, Kpakpo Allotey on Wednesday assured Ghanaians that he will be the next world champion in the super featherweight division.

He gave the assurance at a press conference on the eve of his departure to Glasgow, Scotland where he is billed to challenge the Commonwealth titleholder, Craig Docherty of Scotland. The fight is scheduled for April 22, 2004 at the Kevin Hall in Glasgow.

Kpakpo goes into the fight with a 112-0-1 record, with a record of eleven knockouts to his credit.

"This fight is going to end by round five and I am going to use it as a stepping stone for the World Boxing Council (WBC) belt," confident looking Kpakpo told the GNA Sports at crowded conference at the Accra Stadium.

Mr. Kpakpo Thompson, Manager of the boxer recalled that all the former national and world champions came from Akotoku Academy in Accra and it is a matter of course that his ward would be the next world titleholder.

David K. Poison was world champion in 1976 followed by Azumah Nelson ten years later with Alfred Kotey in that order before the emergence of Ike "Bazooka" Quartey.

" Since then it is over ten years that Ghana has produced a world champion and this is an opportune time for us to give Ghana a world title belt," added Mr Thompson.

Peter Assandoh, head of the corner men for Kpakpo predicted that his ward has gone through a rigorous training regime and that at any time that the fight will come to an end it will be in favour of Kpakpo Allotey.

This is the second time that the Scot, Docherty is meeting a Ghanaian after beating Malik Jabir of Ghana some two months ago. Kpakpo said he is in the right frame of mind and is two pounds below the fight weight of 130 pounds requirement for the fight. A source at the conference indicated that a team of Ghanaian supporters are preparing to lend their maximum support and encouragement to cheer Kpakpo onto victory in Glasgow on the "D" day.