Richard Commey To Fight In IBF Lightweight Title Eliminator

By Jake Donovan

Richard Commey is the type of boxer that his peers would consider high risk, low reward. So while it pained the unbeaten Ghanaian lightweight to vacate his regional title, the belief is that it will prove to be a wise move in the long run.

On the heels of a four-win campaign in 2015 – all of which came by knockout – Commey has become the leading contender for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight title. The promotion comes right on time, as he literally ran out of challengers for the belt he previously held.

“I’m disappointed to have to vacate my IBF Intercontinental title,” Commey (23-0, 21KOs) said in a statement released through his promoter, Sauerland Event’s press office. “I heard that the IBF wrote to all 15 potential opponents in the rankings and nobody wanted to take the fight. When I had the chance to fight for the title, I took the opportunity with both hands so I was surprised when no one came forward to challenge me.”

The 28-year old boxer will now move towards a title eliminator to earn the right to fight for his first major title. The IBF belt was recently won by Rances Barthelemy in a 12-round decision over Denis Shahikov in their vacant title fight this past December in Las Vegas.

As they were the two highest rated contenders at the time, Barthelemy will be granted an optional defense before having to honor his mandatory by September.

“We’re pleased that the IBF has made the right decision and granted Richard this opportunity to fight in a final eliminator for the World title,” says Nisse Sauerland, Commey’s promoter. “Richard is without a doubt one of the most avoided fighters in the lightweight division, and with good reason. He has the skill set and punching power to beat anyone at 135lbs, and now, he is only one fight away from challenging for World honors.

“I believe it is only a matter of time before Ghana has a new World Champion. We expect to have news on an opponent and date for his final eliminator in the next couple of weeks.”

The next highest-rated lightweight among the IBF Top 15 is Jose Felix Jr., who is presently scheduled to face Ricky Sismundo as the headliner of a January 30 edition of Solo Boxeo on UniMas. It’s possible he can agree to enter negotiations for an eliminator with Commey, contingent upon a win later this month.

Should Felix Jr. opt to pass on the opportunity, next in line are Italy’s Emiliano Marsili and former super featherweight champion Algenis Mendez. Neither boxer presently has a fight scheduled.

Whereas his regional title reign ended due to a lack of willing challengers, Commey is more confident of the current developments in his career. An opponent will likely surface given that it means moving to within one fight of a world title shot. Even if every other ranked contender declines – however unlikely – it would make Commey the mandatory challenger by default.

For now, the unbeaten boxer is elated with the recent news – and perhaps even more so with the newfound position of power he gets to enjoy.

“It means everything to me to fight in a final eliminator as it brings me one step closer to my dream of becoming World Champion and bringing the belt home to Ghana,’’ Commey states. “Whoever I face, I’m sure it will be a tough test as it will be against a World class opponent, but I’m undefeated and have no fear of any fighter. I believe no matter who I fight, by the grace of God, I will be victorious.

“Once I win the World title, all those boxers who didn’t want to fight me will have no choice if they have any ambition of becoming world champion.”

Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox