It is unfortunate that the June 24th comeback non title fight between Ghana’s Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech of Australia has been shunned by boxing authorities in the two countries.

Whilst the Australian boxing authorities have expressed concern about their 44 year old boxing idol taking a dangerous risk the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has completely disassociated itself from the ten round contest.

GBA boss Moses Foh Amoaning has told the Ghanaian media that as far as the GBA was concerned Azumah has long retired from the ring and if he wanted to stage a come back he should have applied for a licence and go through a medical regime before embarking on his adventure. In the view of the GBA Azumah should at best go in for an exhibition bout and not real competitive showdown.

This pronouncement by the GBA has really come as shocking news to Azumah’s millions of followers in the country especially coming as it were only a couple of days to the big show. For the past three weeks there have been series of promotional TV footages in Ghana of Azumah’s two fights with Fenech and everybody is looking forward to watching the fight on TV.

The consolation is that both boxers are not bothered by the strange attitude of their respective boxing authorities and reports say they are ready to sell a good fight in Melbourne on June 24th.

This is the third encounter between the two former hard hitters. The first one in 1991 ended in a controversial draw and Azumah won the rematch in 1992 via the short route in the 11th round.

It is the prayer of all lovers of the fistic sport the two veteran pugilists will come out of the tournament safe and sound.