Light heavyweight prospect Prince Oko Nartey of Ghana is hungry for a crack at a title–be it the National, West Africa or ABU belt.
Nartey (7-1, 6 KOs) ended a seventh-month layoff on January 31, stopping Philip Kwaku in the first round at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana. It was one of the most impressive performances on the card.
“I trained so hard for the fight and the plan was to knock him out, though round one knockout was not part of the plan and so when the opportunity to do it early came, I had to take it,” Nartey said during a phone interview with BoxingAfrica.com.
It was Nartey’s first fight since losing his bid to win the vacant IBO World Youth light heavyweight title to James Kraft of Germany. Nartey, 25, suffered a unanimous decision loss in Kraft’s native country.
“When I fought for the World Youth title, I hadn’t the experience that I have now and I really want another opportunity to fight for a title,” the southpaw said.
“I am delighted to be back in action and want to remain busy,” he continued. “I am calling out the top fighters in my category. I want to prove that I am one of the best boxers in the division and promoters should take me seriously.”
Nartey’s last four fights were at 175 but now he plans to move down to super middleweight, which he feels is his natural weight.
“I started as a super middleweight and that’s the category I prefer, despite having been fighting a step up in the light heavyweight,” he said.
The plan is to return to the ring in May at the new weight—if fighters are willing to test themselves against him.
“I don’t get fights easily and that worries me because I want to rack up victories and build my profile,” he said. “My best is yet to come in terms of what I can do. I’ve got high hopes and I’ve still got massive aspirations. I only need the opportunities to come my way.”
–Ralph Chidozie George, Twitter: @ralphcgeorge
