Commey and Easter Jr to meet for IBF lightweight belt – Ormond on red-alert
There has been an upheaval in the lightweight division.
Cuban star Rances Barthelemy, who defended his title against Mickey Bey last weekend, has vacated his IBF strap.
The next two highest ranked fighters, Ghanaian Richard Commey and American Robert Easter Jr, will now face off for the belt at a date and location to be confirmed
Both parties have agreed to the fight in writing and have until July 6 to come to an agreement before the IBF calls for purse bids.
Speaking today at a press conference in Accra, Ghana, to announce the fight, Commey told how “Iām really exited to finally get my shot at the World title.”
“I have been waiting too long and too many fighters have avoided me, but it seems like we are finally there.”
Commey’s promoter, Nisse Sauerland, stated that “he is, in my opinion, the best lightweight in the World, and I have every confidence he will win the World title and then go on to unify the division.”
Today’s revelations will be of interest to Dublin’s Stephen Ormond, who had been ranked #12 with the IBF, and ‘The Rock’ will be itching to push himself up the rankings and into position for a shot at the winner.
Ormond will most likely be cheering for former African and Commonwealth champ Commey [24(22)-0] to prevail following the Ghanaian’s recent pledge to face the Celtic Warriors puncher if he were to become World champion.
@Irishboxingcom@steormond@J0E_90 I love Irish boxing an I think a fight between us after I win the title would be one for the fans 2 enjoy
ā Richard Commey (@RichardCommey) April 22, 2016
The African star however will have his work cut out against the rangy 2012 US Olympian Easter Jr [17(14)-0] who, like Ormond, is advised by Premier Boxing Champions-backer Al Haymon.
