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President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Herbert Mensah has hailed legendary Ghanaian boxer Azumah Nelson for his outstanding exploits in the world of boxing.

The Africa's boxing Champion turned 60 years on Thursday, July 19, 2018 and will be decorated by the World Boxing Council (WBC) with an award on Saturday July 21, 2018 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The 60th milestone edition of the Azumah Nelson Fight Night code named ‘The Battle’ takes will be a five-fight bill.

Born in Mamprobi, a suburb of Accra, Azumah Nelson defiled all odds, defeating several opponents and setting records to become Africa's greatest boxer.

The three-time world boxing champion assumed legendary status in his homeland Ghana and globally when he dominated the super featherweight division as a champion for 10 years. He was subsequently inducted as the first African into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the year 2004.

Mr. Herbert Mensah commended Azumah Nelson for hoisting the flag of Ghana high at the international stage and making the African continent proud.

He touted the boxing Champion as a "great man, a great fighter; as a man who has changed lives...Happy birthday to a truly [truly] great Ghanaian and a great African. We're proud of you and we love you dearly".

Touching on the achievements of Azumah Nelson, the Rugby President noted that Mr. Nelson's "exploits are such that you've done something that few if any other Ghanaians have been able to do. We have sportsmen. We have politicians but very few people have been able to set that trail, that glory around the world that makes one proud to be an African and even prouder to be a Ghanaian".

Career

Azumah Nelson, a respected statesman in his native Ghana, also established Azumah Nelson foundation to help the young to realize their potential through education and sport.

The turning point in Azumah’s career happened in June 1982, when he was handed an opportunity to fight Salvadore Sanchez for the WBC featherweight title. It was a tough bout and the young Ghanaian boxer at the time lost in the 15th round.

But his spirited performance against the better established Mexican-born world champion impressed the decision makers of the sport to grant him another opportunity.

Two years after the Sanchez episode Azumah Nelson rose to the occasion and defeated Wilfredo Gomez to win the WBC featherweight title.

Azumah, nicknamed the Professor, has received the WBC Champion Award at the sanctioning body’s 55th Convention in Baku, Azerbaijan.