LITMUS TEST FOR RICHARD COMMEY: FACES LOMACHENKO IN A PATERNOSTER CLIFF HANGER 11 DAYS INTO CHRISTMAS

Story: Dennis Kweku Moore, Boxing Analyst/ Writer,boxing Ghana

Preview, statistics, fight analysis and predictions :

BACKGROUND:
It took me one week to arrive at the caption above due to the intensity,rivalry and “gravitational expectations” of the fight upcoming.

I duly recall the hype and build up boxing Ghana injected into the Isa chaniev fight. Fantastic,so to speak.

The crew’s exclusive interview with the then Champion’s mum and siblings ahead of the chaniev assignment was superb. The confidence the neighbourhood poured on us prior to the fight was a memory card to behold.

Commey lived up to the billing on that. But moving forward with his mental glory, the Bukom boxing legend managed to further plough the weedy bluff of Jackson Marinez in February this year in devastating fashion.

It was quite interesting, just about the same time Commey was reliving his comeback confidence in the ring, his fellow nemesis Lomachenko was pounding on a similar devastating form after his trance loss to “baby boy” Teofimo Lopez.

Based on these existential ring concerns it has drawn me into putting up the very predictive outcome on this relished fight between Richard Commey and Vasiliy Lomachenko, a fight the former has been salivating since time immemorial.

RICHARD COMMEY:
The former Ghanaian Lightweight Champion has taken up his lessons very seriously and obviously would be leaving no stone unturned to make a meal out of this dream fight.

His approach to the Teofimo Lopez fight was perhaps a fast one and he never expected that result could happen. Honestly.

He had bathed in the Championship glory for almost a year and had been ushered into a state of astonishment by that second round KO to Teofimo.

Commey had previously called out Loma before Loma lost to Teofimo. It was becoming crystal clear Lomachenko was avoiding the slicky Ghanaian at that material moment in time when Commey was physically and mentally conditioned for that meet.

Commey’s lovely resume in his last five fights is what I will count on to give him a chance in this fight:

His TKO victory over Alejandro Lona(22-0-0) in March 2018 was fertile. That same year, in August, he inflicted yet another knockout victory over Yardley Cruz( 24-10-0). His fertility rate in knockout ratio completed his fearless run in 2019 with impressive victories over Isa chaniev ( 13-1-0) and Raymond Beltran(36-8-1)

In December 2014 at the MGM Grand, Oblitey was stopped in the second round by the confident, young, hard hitting Teofimo Lopez (14-0-0).

My research about this upcoming fight got a jocund crescendo as I noticed Commey’s resume had began to germinate yet more knockouts records. Yes. Jackson Marinez( 19-1-0) , being the latest victim in February this year.

The announcement of this Loma fight is all over Ghana. My assessment of this fight beckons. But with only three losses on his ring CV , (Robert Easter in 2016, Denis Shafikov in 2016 and Teofimo Lopez in 2019), the good,bad and the future of his ring exploits is set to explode against this witty Ukrainian.

VASILIY LOMACHENKO
This name is nothing strange in the books of boxing in recent years. The Ukrainian injected a fearful “venom” on his name thereby establishing a phobic signature amongst many boxers in that division making him the pound for pound cake at the time.

Vasiliy Anatoliyovych ( The Matrix) Lomachenko has enjoyed his reign as the former champion in three weight divisions; WBO Featherweight -2014-2015, WBO Junior Lightweight-2016-2017 and the unified WBA ( Super) WBC, WBO and ring magazine lightweight in 2018-2020.

It took the mental fortitude of “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez to takeover the intimidating ring dominance of Loma. Teofimo proved that after all, Loma is beatable. And he did just that. To perfection.

Loma’s ring exploits, in my estimation lingers on the credibility of boxers he has faced:

I recall when he took on Cuba’s fighting pride Guillemo Rigondeax in 2018 and retiring the confused southpaw on his stool in Round 7. Indeed with the Cuban becoming his 4th victim to retire on a stool.

Against Jorge Linares(44-3-27-KOs) in 2018 ,Loma suffered a knockdown in Round 6 but fought through to win via a knockout in 10 through a vicious liver shot to claim the WBA ( Super)& Ring Lightweight titles.

Loma’s record notwithstanding his loss to Teofimo is superb. His rise to stardom with wins over Jose Pedraza, Crolla and Luke Campbell are all a beautiful design.

He chose to fight Japanese traveller Masayoshi Nakatani in June this year because of the similar record he holds with himon paper, and for the fact that the Japanese engaged Teofimo Lopez.

THE FIGHT/ANALYSIS
I have conducted a sweeping survey with most boxing pundits on this fight and the response seems to churn out mixed reactions.

Many boxing connoisseurs believe this is a lifeline journey for the hardworking Ghanaian and Should he win, would see his financial fortunes soaring to appreciable levels.

Ghanaians are of the opinion that it is going to be a litmus test for Commey and that his concentration levels should be high especially in the first three rounds.

Commey,against Teofimo Lopez, was pretty jittery in the first two rounds and barely showed commitment in advancing as a champion. His approach, jabs, were less convincing and gave up his face more often than not.

Lomachenko will indisputably enter the first two rounds with his signature handspeed and footwork. Solid. His accuracy and athletiscm will manifest. Good defence. For sure.

Loma loves to advance. I loved the strategy he adopted against the much taller Japanese. Scarcely allowed Nakatani to rest. Great stamina and head movement.

Loma, from the 7th rounds of most of his fights are serious. He shows adequate commitment to his footwork and ensures the scorecards are in his favour. Over complacency and an overbloating mental set up caused his loss to Teofimo. After the first six rounds,he had lost on the scorecards.

Loma’s championship rounds finish is superb. He hardly shows signs of fatigue. Fearless and annoyingly advancing on his opponent in every corner of the ring.

Richard Commey on the other hand is blessed with a “right hand”. A right hand that has the tendency to deflate the yawning cheeks of any pugilist. Characteristic of such deliveries was evident on chaniev and Marinez. Raymundo Beltran also swallowed a similar right hand punch.

Commey is coming up against a fast,slippery and consistent pugilist whose work rate knows no tiredness. Loma will surely do the chasing.

I would want to see Commey offering his trademark jabs. Power jabs for that matter. The idea of a knockout should not be part of his team’s rehearsal. Teofimo did same. Keep jabbing, run around and avoid the facial exposure to his flashing southpaw flurries. Very important.

Commey Should be able to use his height to advantage. Something Nakatani failed to utilize. Occasional grips and push offs is paramount. This will frustrate the witty Ukrainian to throw vacant punches.

Commey should avoid the close fighting module. There should always be an interval between them,with focused jabs.

Commey himself mentioned what he needed to do and what he ought not to do before the Teofimo fight. Those points still matter in this Loma hanger.

• Keeping up the Pressure
• Keeping his hands up
• Being smart

Infact these pointers are crucial for Commey’s success on December 11th. Non usage of these actions against a faster Loma could be disastrous. Really disastrous. He needs to have the wheels to get away from Lomachenko.

Commey cannot afford to lock up in his guard, cannot afford to stay on the ropes and finally cannot afford to drop his guard. Absolutely.

Commey should never enter the ring with any smiles. His trademark smiles during his ring entries (to me) are not intimidating that much especially when he fought Teofimo. Teofimo’s facial countenance denoted “slaughter”,. “business”. No respect.

On paper, Lomachenko stands tall. He possess the hype and fame. Boxers who fight him are expected to see beaming pay checks.

Commey’s time is rife. The entire Community in Bukom and its environs are all in high expectations to see him win this fight. Commey must win this fight.

PREDICTIONS
With my analysis,ring facts,and experiences of both boxers presented, the prediction pendulum looks unstable.

If Commey is able to keep his eyes focused on all advancing speed jabs and avoid them, he might attract the sympathy of the judges for the first six rounds.

And if Commey is able survive the Championship rounds with swift head movements and accurate body punches, a unanimous decision awaits him.

The winner of this fight for sure will take on the winner of the Teofimo/ Kambosis battle. And Loma silently wants a Teofimo Lopez win to stage a retaliatory outing with the young Teo.

Loma’s aggression and hand speed is favourable to him. Commey’s adjustment to his speedy southpaw stance will have to manifest or else the Ukrainian has a chance on the cards.

I see a knockdown in this fight. Either boxers might suffer a knockdown owing to the gravity of “thirst” to climb up the lightweight ladder to face Teofimo or Kambosis.

The Ukrainian is the favorite in this cagey encounter but underdogs are always dangerous giving Commey a possible chance of upsetting the Ukrainian.

The Ghanaian boxing community is needed in this exercise. The divine paternoster from boxing loving fans is an able option.

There is a tide in the affairs of men,which when taken at the floods leads into fortune. Commey deserves that.

This year’s yulitide looks bitter. But better for a fight of this calibre. We have a fight. People.