Commey-Easter confirmed for September 9 in Pennsylvania

Photo Credit: Jim Fenwick

Richard Commey (24-0, 22 KOs) will challenge Robert Easter Jr (17-0, 14 KOs) for the vacant IBF World Lightweight title on September 9 at the Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Since being named mandatory challenger, Commey has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to fight for the IBF strap, and with a date and venue now confirmed, the undefeated 29 year-old says he is ready to fulfil his destiny and bring the belt home to Ghana.

‘’It feels great to be finally fighting for a World title, and come fight night I will be fully prepared come what may,’’ says the former Ghanaian, Commonwealth and IBF Intercontinental Champion, who is currently in Accra training alongside coach Carl Lokko at the Bronx Boxing Gym.

‘’This opportunity means everything to me, it is for all the hard work my team and I have put in over the last six years. This is what we started out to achieve, and when I win, it will be a great feeling to know we have reached our goal.’’

Standing in his way is the 25 year-old Ohio-native Easter Jr, who has earned his shot at World honours with a series of impressive KO victories, including the show stealing fifth-round stoppage of Argenis Mendez last April in Washington.

‘’I think he’s very good boxer and I have the upmost respect for him as I do all my opponents but that won’t count for nothing as soon as the first bell rings,’’ says Commey. ‘’Patience is the key, and as long as I stay focused and listen to my corner I’ll be fine.’’

Commey will be fighting Stateside for the second time in his career. In May 2015, he claimed the IBF Intercontinental title in Las Vegas with an eighth-round TKO win over Bahodir Mamadjonov, and despite having hoped to challenge for his first World title at home, he is welcoming a return to America.

‘’Of course, I would have preferred the fight to be in Ghana in front of my own fans but it wasn’t to be,’’ he states. ‘’However, I’m undefeated in America so I have no problems going back, and with God’s blessing I know I will win.’’

Manager Michael Amoo-Bediako has recently returned from Ghana where he had been watching Commey train, and admits he has been impressed with what he has seen from the World title challenger.

‘’Richard looks in tremendous shape and was very sharp in sparring,’’ says Amoo-Bediako. ‘’He is totally focus on winning this title and bringing it home to Ghana. I also had time to speak to his trainer Carl Lokko and he told me everything is going according to plan and come fight night Richard will be ready for whatever Robert Easter Jr brings to the table.’’

Promoter Nisse Sauerland says he is confident Commey can overcome Easter Jr and join his hometown heroes such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, David Kotei and Joshua Clottey in bringing the belt back to Accra.

‘’This fight has been a long time coming,’’ says Sauerland. ‘’Richard is the most avoided fighter in the lightweight division but now the time has come for him to bring the World title home. Ghana has a rich history of producing elite level fighters and Richard is ready to take his place among them as the county’s next World Champion.’’