MY BELOVED school, the University of Science and Technology (U.S.T.) has reverted to its former name, Kwame Nkrumah University. I sincerely think this is a splendid idea to name a great institution after a great man. Streets, airports, squares, etc named after great personalities never die out with time and it is a befitting way of saying thank you to our great men.
But in this wise, I think Azumah Nelson is being cheated. Better late than never, so the popular adage goes but wasn't it a "bit too late" to be honoring D.K. Poison, (the 1st Boxer to win a world title) after 23 years, when he wrestled the featherweight crown from Reuben Olivares in September all the same, kudos to SWAG. but our sports authorities and the government of this country must do more for Azumah Nelson.
I feel it is high time a major street or even sports complex was built and named after Professor" Azumah has done what no African boxer has ever done. He is the only African boxer to hold a world title for more than 11 years Azumah is also the 2nd oldest reigning champ after Daniel Zaragoza. The reigning WBC Junior Featherweight champ.
The authorities must not wait till long after Azumah has left the scene before thinking of doing him such a favor. For far too long this country has gotten the notoriety of not respecting our past heroes.
Perhaps as Jesus Christ said, a prophet is without honor in his own home and among his kin. Maybe a lot of people in this country do not know but when a recent compilation of "The Top 50 Fighters" of the last 50 years was done.
Azumah placed a respectable 41st. ahead of Evander Holyfield 31-3 (22) - 44th, Roy Jones 31-0 (27) - 43rd and Sonny Liston. The most learned heavyweight in history - 48th. The compilation was done by The Ring magazine which has been reporting on the sport since the early 60s.
In this revered compilation done in the middle of last year. Sugar Ray Robinson topped all-time great boxers in Is position. Muhammed Ali came second Roberto Duran - 3rd Sugar Ray Leonard -5th and Julio Caesar Chavez - 6th.
Rocky Marciano the only heavyweight boxer with the enviable record of 49-0(43) was 12th Larry Holmes was 17th Mike Tyson - 19th Marvin Hagler was 20th: and Pernel Whitaker - was 21st Wilfredo Gomez from whom Azumah beat to wrestle the WBC Teath-overweight crown was 22nd.
Michael Spinks was 24th George Foreman was 30th and Joe Frazier was 40th Azumah's position was based on skills an accomplishment level of opposition and longevity. Azumah now en-jobs the little Member of the Grand Vohra Civil Division the title Barone and his self-proclaimed Professorship.
But what are the Universities doing Is it out of place to confer on Azumah at least an honorary doctorate in physical education, Maybe we underrate Azumah's achievements, but no other Ghanaian in the field of sports has enjoyed more than 10 years of unparalleled success as Azumah Nelson.
What even makes Aumah's achievements even worth mentioning is that he is an example to all athletes in this country. At 38 years of age I thought the man should have retired long ago but he keeps proving me wrong with his wonderful feats year after year.
In the May '96 edition of KO magazine. Azumah was 9th in the "Dyna-mite Dozen The Dynamite Dozen is Boxing's 12 Best fighters, pound-for-pound. Pernel Whitaker was first. and Roy Jones 2nd So it means that whenever great men in boxing's name get mentioned. Azumah Nelson is sure to be one of them the government says it plans to build an Olympic size stadium. All is well and good.
I propose that one of them he named after him or better still a statue built in his honor on the stadium grounds. The professor must see these come to pass in his lifetime, instead of sav. a 100 years to come for sports authorities think of honouring him.
It is not uncommon these days to ücar of once great sportsmen and women openly complaining about the way they've been neglected. Sports play a major role in the upliftment of the name of this country.
Some people outside the walls of this country have heard about this nation due to the exploits of Azumah, and Abedi Pele.
Tony Yeboarete and isn't it befitting that we should accord them such due respect as Azumah was ready to defend his title one more time. I advise him to take his training seriously and as he keeps on writing his name in letters of gold time and ride cannot erase.
Source: The Mirrow 1977
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