Today in History: Azumah Nelson suffers first career loss
“…the winner, and still undefeated…!” It’s a melodious announcement to hear at the end of a boxing match, isn’t it?
It is! Especially if it’s your champion that’s being eulogized.
I wasn’t born then but I am sure Ghanaians enjoyed it as the ring announcers shouted on top of their voices: “your winner by TKO, and still undefeated Azumah zum zum Nelson….”
However, Ghana’s first world champion in boxing was brought down for the first time on this day, July 21, 1982 by Mexican, Salvador Sánchez.
Azumah was TKO-ed in the 15thh round of the game with the Mexican retaining his WBC World Featherweight title.
It was Azumah’s first shot at a world title. The boxer would go on to win the WBC World Featherweight title from Wilfredo Gómez two years later.
He retired as a three-time world champion and still arguably Ghana’s greatest boxer.
Source - Oswald Azumah