Samuel Takyi’s scheduled fight in South Africa has been canceled but the Olympic bronze medalist wants to test himself with a national championship bout in December.
The 21-year-old Takyi plans to take the biggest test of his young pro career by challenging national lightweight titlist Richard Fenyi (8-0, 7 KOs) by the close of the year.
Takyi (3-0, 3 KOs) described his quest to become a national 135 pounds champion as a step in the right next step in his pro career.
“I have to finish the year as a national champion so I have to go in for anybody that wants to stand my way,” Takyi told BoxingAfrica.com.
“It may sound like a tough task but I am not afraid of anybody at lightweight. I believe Richard Fenyi is one of the best in the division and that is why he holds the national title.
“He must be ready for me if he wants to keep the belt. I can’t wait to snatch the title from him in December.”
Fenyi won the national championship in April when he recorded a unanimous decision victory over Victor Kuwornu. Three months later, he made a successful title defense with a KO win over Nathaniel Nukpe.
Fenyi’s trainer Lartekwei Lartey welcomed Takyi’s challenge to face his boxer and warned him to be ready for war.
“If he wants to fight us then we are ready for him,” Lartey said. “He has to be ready to take punches because we are going to go hard on him.
“Takyi is very skillful but I want him to know that he has to think deeply to beat Fenyi and even if he has to win, he won’t be the same fighter again.”
Takyi’s promoters Bazooka Promotions and Management Syndicate are expected to put together a showdown between the two undefeated fighters after the Olympian’s scheduled November date in South Africa was canceled.
Having made a successful pro debut in April against veteran Kamalrudeen Boyefio in Accra, Takyi traveled to South Africa and Nigeria to destroy Mandlenkosi Sibuso and Samuel Moses in June and August respectively.
However, the boxer’s camp, led by the legendary Ike ‘Bazooka’ Quartey, believes ending the year with a national title would make Takyi’s year a great one.
“We are going for it because that is the plan for this year,” said Quartey, who is also Takyi’s trainer, during an interview with BoxingAfrica.com.
“He is in good condition and working hard by the day. He is ready to face anybody that comes his way. The plan is to finish this year with the national title and then build on that for the continental titles in 2023.”
The fight is expected to be one of the biggest in the country this year after George Ashie’s stoppage victory over Robert ‘Stopper’ Quaye in March.
“A big win for me would send a message to Ghanaians that I am ready for the professional ranks and ready to explode onto the world stage,” said Tayki.
“I have a plan on when to become a world champion and I am working towards achieving that. Let’s wait and see in December.”
