Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe could possess both the vacant IBF International and WBO Africa lightweight titles versus Russia’s Vyacheslav Gusev.
Tagoe versus Gusev headlines the second edition of the Asamoah Gyan “Fight Night 2” billed for Saturday, January 26, at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Tagoe, 29-1 (14 KOs), is coming off a career-best win over aged and faded former world champion Paulus Moses last October in Ghana. This time, he faces the 33-year-old, light-hitting Gusev, 25-5 (8 KOs), who has lost two of his last five bouts.
Tagoe, the WBO Africa lightweight champion, will relocate to the USA after this fight, or so he said at the headquarters of the Gaming Commission of Ghana.
The visit was to officially inform the Commission of his final bout in Ghana. Tagoe recently signed with New York-based promoter, Lou DiBella of DiBella Promotions.
Tagoe thanked the Commission for granting him the audience and urged them to come to the venue to support him against Gusev before he relocates to the USA for new challenges in his career.
“I have been motivated by the support of the Commission and I promise to defend the flag of Ghana in the fight,” he said. “I know my opponent is as strong as I am, because he also holds three titles, but I am confident of one thing and that is victory.”
Mr. Kobby Annan, Deputy Commissioner of the Gaming Commission, received Tagoe on behalf of the Commission, thanking him for recognizing the Commission’s contribution to the development of the sport.
“Having you here is one of its kind because it is the first time we have a boxing champion coming to the Gaming Commission. You have made yourself proud and you have made Ghana proud,” Annan said.
“We know that a lot has to be done (to support the game), but I promise you that the Gaming Commission is streamlining our procedures and also making sure that our operators and stakeholders within the industry, do not only look at sports as only football but also look at boxing as well,” he continued.
“I know you have been crying for corporate help to make boxing grow and it is our corporate responsibility to help.
“It would be a cooperate responsibility for all operators to help you and we will help you and those who will come to us. And even if you are out of boxing we will still be helping you. Ghana needs more champions like you but champions don’t fall from heaven, we will help make the champions.”
