Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) World weltweright titlist, Joshua Clottey, has advised Richard Commey against going into an immediate unification bout with Vasyl Lomachenko after his triumph over Isa Chaniev.
Clottey, who defeated Zab Judah in 2008 to become a world champion, explained that Commey needed to defend his IBF World lightweight title on two or three occasions before venturing into a unification with Lomachenko.
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Having destroyed Chaniev in two rounds to become the nation’s tenth world titlist in Frisco, Texas on February 2, Commey landed himself a unification bout with WBA and WBO champion Lomachenko in a fight which was slated for April 12 at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
But the proposed fight couldn’t take place as scheduled due to an injury Commey sustained in the bout with Chaniev and an MRI scan ruled him out for six weeks. His absence paved the way for the dangerous Ukrainian to accept a fight with WBA mandatory challenger, Anthony Crolla, for the April 12 card.
In a chat with the Graphic Sports, Clottey, who fought the likes of Manny Pacquaio, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cottey during his hey days, described Lomachenko as a dangerous fighter who could be too tough for Commey at this moment.
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He called on Commey to avoid a fight with Lomachenko at the moment since it could affect his chances of a long reign in the lightweight division.
“I won’t advise him to go for the Lomachenko fight at this time. It is too early for him to take up that bout immediately after his triumph against Chaniev because that guy would be too dangerous for him at the moment.
“He needs to defend his title for at least two or three times before opting to fight Lomachenko in a unification and I believe that will prepare him adequately,” Clottey said.
The 31-year-old Ghanaian increased his record to 28 wins from 30 bouts with an impressive 25 knockout victories after dispatching the Russian pugilist with three knockdowns.
Source: Graphic.com.gh