Ashley Morrison

Azumah Nelson has been described as the greatest boxer to come out of Africa. Born the year after his home nation of Ghana gained independence, he played a major part in putting this new country on the world map. ----A glittering amateur career saw him win every title except an Olympic medal, as Ghana boycotted the 1980 Games when he was a favourite to win. After turning professional, he took a last-minute bout for the world title with the great Salvador Sanchez, a bout that changed his life. ----Two years later, in 1984, he won the WBC Featherweight World Title. Like many champions, he rose from humble beginnings, suffered tragedy along the way, but he won and remained a world champion at featherweight and super featherweight for eleven years.----Very few champions have carried such a burden of expectation, and Azumah delivered success at a time when his country needed a hero. He never faltered and won the respect of many across the world.