Ghana’s Richard Commey produced a top-class performance to beat Russian Isa Chaniev and become the new IBF Lightweight World Champion.
The Ghanaian dropped the Russian three times in a second round knockout to win a vacant 135-pound belt on February 3, 2019, in Frisco, Texas.
With the win, Commey becomes Ghana’s ninth world champion.
The first round of the Commey-Chaniev clash was action-packed.
After trading punches for most of it, an overhand right by Commey knocked Chaniev flat on his back with 29 seconds left in the opening round. Chaniev got up, tripped up Commey a few seconds later and made it to the end of the first round.
Commey continued his dominance in the second, and floored Chaniev again just 10 seconds into the 2nd round, with a powerful left hook.
“It means everything for my career. I want to accomplish my dreams,” Commey said. “I won because of the hard work and I listened to my corner. I did everything they asked me to do. I’m very happy I won this world title and that I am a world champion.”
Issue with his right hand
“When I hit him in the first round, I hurt my right knuckle. I’m going to have to get it looked at and see what happens,” Commey said. “I don’t think it’s a big problem. I need to get it checked out.”
“This guy is very, very competitive with Lomachenko. He hits like a mule, he’s a big guy,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said. “Loma will embrace this kind of challenge because it is a challenging kind of fight. This guy can really hurt you, a big puncher. Loma is going to have his hands full, but that’s what he wants.”
Below is the video:
By: Joseph Nii Ankrah