Once a promising prospect from Ghana, Wasiru Mohammad is ready to return to the ring.
Mohammad is still young at 27 years old. Yet he’s hungry to make up the ground he lost during his 32-month hiatus.
On Saturday, August 19, the undefeated fighter will end his extended furlough to face veteran Emmanuel Otoo in a featherweight contest at the Lord’s Wembley Sports Complex at Shukura in Accra.
“It has been a long road for me but I have learned my lessons throughout these years of inactivity,” Mohammed told BoxingAfrica.com.
“I am looking forward to the future with a lot of positivity because I know boxing dwells in me and can never leave me.”
This time, Mohammed (12-0, 11 KOs) will be joined by a new team. He now trains at the Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation (CQBF) gym in Accra. His new trainer is Paul Dogboe, father and former trainer of former WBO super bantamweight champion, Isaac Dogboe.
The pair have known each other from the days when Mohammed sparred with Dogboe in 2018. Dogboe was then preparing for a WBO interim super bantamweight championship against Cesar Juarez in Accra.
Paul recalled how impressed he was with Mohammed’s ability to prepare Dogboe for fights through competitive sparring sessions. “I have known Wasiru for a very long time and I know he is a very talented boxer who needed a push to become a world champion.
“It was an easy decision to make when the chance availed itself for me to train him and it has been great since we started.”
According to Mohammed, Paul’s perception of him reflects his own thoughts about the trainer. He also added that the decision to train under Paul upon his return to the ring was not a difficult one.
“He was the only one I could think of when I finally decided to return to boxing so I quickly took the offer because I know what he can do for my career,” said Mohammed.
“He is a very good trainer and I can’t wait for us to do bigger things at the world stage together.”
Mohammed was once one of Ghana’s brightest prospects. The promising super bantamweight had quickly risen to become the WBO’s sixth-ranked 122-pounder before the COVID pandemic slowed his career down.
What ensued left everyone scratching their heads.
The confusion began when his manager, John Manfo, facilitated an agreement between Muhammed and D&D Boxing, a promotional outfit owned by American promoter Cameron Dunkin. This did not appear to sit well with Muhammed, who disappeared shortly after the signing, refusing to return calls from Manfo. The boxer also ghosted longtime trainer Lartekwei Lartey.
Lartey attributes Mohammed’s behavior to him receiving offers from other US promotional outfits who sought to pull him in a different direction. However, Manfo is agreeable with this new trainer situation.
“Paul contacted me when he decided to start training Wasiru so I agreed with him to take over so I can recoup my investment,” Manfo told BoxingAfrica.com.
“We are yet to sign contracts to that effect but I am hoping something good comes out of it for both parties in the end.”
Ultimately, that is up to Muhammed. The diminutive slugger is hoping for a fresh start as he makes his 126-pound debut against Otoo. Naturally, the Ghanaian boxing community will be watching intently, hoping to see the talent that led many to believe he was the country’s next world champion.
“It will be an emotional night for me when I enter the ring because it has been over three years since I last fought,” said Muhammed.
“But I know what I have to do in the ring and I don’t think I will be under any pressure to deliver an emphatic win. It will be a great comeback win.”
