Joseph Battles Santana In IBF Female F/Weight Bout

Helen Joseph

Helen Joseph

By Bimbo Ajayi

Nigeria’s female world title hopeful, Helen Joseph (13-11-1), is set to earn her place in the history books as she trades punches with Dominican Republic’s Dahianna Santana (35-29-6) on 25 August in a Female Featherweight Championship slated for Accra Sports Stadium, Ghana.

Helen Joseph

In a chat with Boxing In Focus, the Ghana-based Joseph vowed to batter Santana in the bout which is sanctioned by International Boxing Federation, IBF, in conjuction with Ghana Boxing Authority, GBA.

“I know that I will beat Santana in the fight in spite of her intimidating record. She has been beating others but she will meet her waterloo when she gets in the ring with me. My coaches have been working on me for the fight,” boasted the Rivers State-born pugilist.

She added: “I have what it takes to beat Santana in the fight. And I promise my teeming Nigerian fans to expect nothing short of victory in the fight. I will also present the belt to the the governor of my state when I win it.”

On his part, her Ghanaian trainer, Kofi Darku Ricketts, expressed confidence in the Nigerian pugilist, saying Joseph has the wherewithal to outpunch Santana.

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“I am her coach and I know what she is able to do in the ring. Helen has sufficient skills and strength to beat Santana. Many of us that know her have come to realise that she is a potential world champion,” said Ricketts.

GBA’s Communications Director, Michael Tetteh, however, appealed to Rivers State Government to support Joseph in her quest to become a world champion.

“I appeal to the Rivers State Government to come to the aid of Helen so that she can win the title. There is a need to be fair to people in other sports and give room for equity because everybody cannot be a footballer,” said Tetteh.

Commenting on the coming fight, Secretary General of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C Remi Aboderin, said that the board will do the utmost to make sure that Joseph achieve her goal.

“The NBB of C  is ready to give Helen necessary support that she needs to become a world champion. Of course, it will be a plus for the board and the entire country if a Nigerian boxer becomes a world champion,” Aboderin said.

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