Sports
Richard Commey suffers TKO defeat to Jose Ramirez
Ghanaian boxer, Richard Commey suffered an 11th round TKO defeat to Mexico’s Jose Ramirez in a WBC Junior Welterweight eliminator at the Save Mart Arena in Fresno, California Saturday night.
After a fiery start to the fight in which the two boxers traded punches, Ramirez dominated in the latter stages, targeting Commey’s body and in the fateful round, the Mexican scored two knockdowns, the second of which produced a full ten count after the Ghanaian took a knee.
The loss left Commey winless in his last three starts as he fell to 30-5-1 (27KOs). His last victory came in February 2021 when he stopped Jackson Marinez in the sixth round. Since then have come a lopsided loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko, a draw with Pedraza and now the second stoppage defeat of his career.
Ramirez had plenty to prove as the main event came after he twice turned down a shot to fight for his old WBC junior welterweight title including a rightly criticized withdrawal from an ordered fight with defending champ Regis Prograis.
Commey made it easy for Ramirez, as he walked right in and was willing to trade. Ramirez repeatedly made him pay with right hands upstairs. A left hook snapped back the head of Commey which set up a rally along the ropes. Commey managed a straight right hand that caught Ramirez on the chin in an otherwise lopsided round.
Ramirez continued with his persistent attack throughout round two. Commey was still able to sneak in a right hand but every punch he threw—even the ones that landed—left him open for a relentless body attack dished out by Ramirez who was determined to deliver a knockout finish.
Commey was determined to crash home a game-changing right hand. The former IBF lightweight titlist used his shoulder to partially deflect Ramirez’s incoming shots before letting go with overhand rights. Ramirez was unbothered by the approach and charged forward to pin the visiting boxer along the ropes.
A subtle adjustment by Commey briefly slowed the pace in round four. Commey managed to smother Ramirez’s punches which allowed him to fire off right hands on the inside. This time, Ramirez took the bait as he walked into a right hand and left hook. Commey ripped a left hook downstairs, only for Ramirez to drive him to the ropes and connect with a trio of hooks downstairs.
Ramirez fed off the cheers from the crowd as he rediscovered a consistent home for his right hand in round five. Commey refused to relent, riding out a Ramirez right before he responded with a brief flurry of body punches.
Both boxers exchanged jabs in round six. Commey threw his while he fought in reverse, cognizant of getting pinned against the ropes. Ramirez missed with a power shot along the ropes, as Commey took the action to the center of the ring. Ramirez adjusted his attack and was able to connect with right uppercuts.
Action slowed in round seven, understandably slow after a fiercely fought first half of the fight. Ramirez saved his best moments for the end of the round. The pace slightly picked up in round eight, which saw Commey fight behind his long jab and Ramirez throw in spurts. Neither landed anything of consequence until the end of the round when Ramirez scored with a combination.
Ramirez dramatically and permanently changed the course of the fight in round eleven. A right hand by Ramirez left Commey unsteady before tumbling to the canvas. Referee Jack Reiss issued the standard eight count and assessed the fallen boxer before he allowed the action to continue.
Commey was still unable to fully gather his faculties, as he clinched Ramirez before the two fell to the canvas. Reiss allowed additional time to tick away as he ensured that both boxers were okay before he allowed for the fight to move forward. Ramirez dodged a right hand by Commey and ripped a left hook to the body. Commey was forced to a knee, where he took the full ten count.
Black Stars Head Coach, Chris Hughton says the results in the past against Comoros have zero significance on the game later today [November 21] at the OmniSports Stadium in Moroni in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Hughton’s assertion comes on the back of the last meeting between the two countries where Ghana got kicked out from the 2021 AFCON held in Cameroon following a 3-2 defeat to Comoros in the final group.
In his pre-match press conference, Hughton reiterated the team’s desire to win the game against Comoros and further expressed the team’s readiness to clinch all three points.
We have big respect for Comoros, they are a good team, but the results in the past have no significance.
It’s about the present, not the past.
I think as a football nation, they have come a long way, they have made very big steps and i congratulate them on that.
For now our preparations are not for the World Cup or the AFCON but it is for the game against Comoros. It is one game at a time.
The Black Stars of Ghana can go top of Group I with a win against Comoros in the second group game against the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Hughton’s men head into the clash with 3 points from the first group game against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
It will be the fourth meeting between the two countries after they last met in the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
For the FIFA World Cup qualifiers – this will be the second time the Black Stars will face Comoros.
The first leg of the 2015 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi under former Coach Avram Grant.
The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has ordered a temporary ban on Bofoakwa Tano FC from using the Sunyani Coronation Park as its home venue with immediate effect.
This decision has become necessary due to the unfortunate incidents after the Match Day 11 match between Bofoakwa Tano FC and Nsoatreman FC played on November 19, 2023.
The decision is in accordance with the GFA Premier League Regulations Article 14(2) which states among other things “the GFA may order the closure of any league centre where the safety of clubs, Match Officials or Spectators cannot be guaranteed.”’
The Competitions Department is therefore advised to determine the venue for the Club’s subsequent home matches in accordance with Article 14(3) Premier League Regulations.
However, This order is without prejudice to the determination of the pending case before the Disciplinary Committee which has been charged to hear the case in accordance with the relevant Regulations.
The GFA notes the unacceptable conduct of the supporters of the home team, Bofoakwa Tano FC and condemns same, without any reservations, the violations of the provisions of the GFA the Safety and Security Regulations and the Premier League Regulations which took place at the match.
The GFA Prosecutors have been tasked to study all the video evidence and the match reports and prefer appropriate Charges immediately and for the Disciplinary Committee to sit on this matter expeditiously.
The GFA demands that Bofoakwa Tano FC shall immediately assist the Regional Police to cause the arrest of the persons involved in this attack on the away team, and the holding of the match officials hostage, without fail, in accordance with the promise given by the clubs to the Inspector General of Police in our engagement with the leadership of the Ghana Police Service.
The Association has instructed the Competitions Department to fix the venues for the upcoming home matches of Bofoakwa Tano FC, until the case is determined, with due regard to the distance to be travelled by the away teams (note that matches can be fixed at the home of the away team if required).
All clubs are to take note and comply strictly with the Safety & Security Regulations and the GFA Disciplinary Code.
The GFA wishes to sound a strong note of caution to all members (especially all clubs) that the slightest harassment or attack on Players, Team Officials, Match Officials (Referees, Match Commissioners, GFA Cameramen and women, Venue Media Officers, the sports media) shall be dealt with severely and swiftly.
Ghana star Andre Ayew has made a sensational return to French football, signing for Ligue 1 side Le Havre on Saturday.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder was presented to the Stade Oceane crowd ahead of Le Havre’s match against AS Monaco, marking his first appearance in the French top flight since leaving Olympique Marseille in 2015.
Ayew joins Le Havre as a free agent, having recently left Premier League side Nottingham Forest. His signing is a major coup for Les Ciel et Marine, who are currently seventh in Ligue 1 following their promotion from Ligue 2.
He will bring a wealth of experience to the squad, having played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Swansea City, West Ham, Fenerbahce, and Al Sadd.
Ayew’s arrival at Le Havre is significant not only for the club but also for the Black Stars with less than two months until the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Ivory Coast.
Ayew will join his Black Stars teammates for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and the Comoros Islands next week after signing his contract. His vast knowledge of the French league and his impressive goal-scoring record make him an asset to both club and country.
Le Havre fans are thrilled to see Ayew don the club’s colours, and they will be eagerly anticipating his debut. The former Marseille star is set to compete with Lille OSC loanee Mohamed Bayo for a starting spot in the team.
With Ayew’s expertise and leadership, Le Havre will look to consolidate their position in Ligue 1 and potentially mount a challenge for European places.
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