Emmanuel 'Game Boy' Tagoe enters the ring on Saturday against Ryan Garcia, earning five times less, has the lower ratings and is considered the underdog. These are enough reasons why Tagoe must walk the big talk and live the unlimited dose of confidence he has exuded these past weeks.
One of the biggest highlights of the build-up to the potential lightweight thriller was the exchange of words between the two boxers. Following the face-off, some little whispers between the two boxers now became an exchange that required security to separate them. This of course scores as a clean faceoff considering that some others have ended in ugly scenes in the recent past.
"It will be game over for you," Garcia said repeatedly to Tagoe while the latter responded with "I will show you the pepper".
Tagoe's mindset
The Ghanaian with his record of 31 wins and a loss, is drawing his big talk from an informed point of view. He has tried to trumpet to the world that he has been around for a while and has been part of some of the backstories that will never be brought to the fore.
Sparring with the unified champion George Kambos Jr and having a fair idea of the levels of strength of each of the big names is enough of an arsenal for the Ghanaian boxer who was previously under the promotional stables of Ghanaian football legend Asamoah Gyan.
The former IBO champion also made a revelation about not watching tapes of his opponents. "It's been 33 fights now and I haven't watched on any tapes of any of my opponents," he said in a recent interview.
He refers to his adaptive style which will come in handy against the pacey hard-punching Ryan Garcia.
"I feel it's very unnecessary to watch tapes because even though you can have an idea what to expect, the opponent can change strategy completely during the fight," he told JoySports in an earlier interview.
While he is the smaller item within this whole mix Tagoe articulates a big inward attitude which he will be testing on to hopefully overpower 'King Ry'.
Garcia's sentimental comeback
Ryan Garcia is surely the attraction in this pugilistic tie. He is a big brand within the Golden Boy stable and has the bigger credentials title wise. But he is yet to taste the big space and establish longevity like every boxer would project.
His mental health episode, his recovery and the demands of his career stir enough hunger and anger to stage a class act of a comeback.
He needs the kind of performance that will not only sound the reminder he is still here but also the reminisce of the devastating knockout specialist he has been.
He has placed a lot of premium on this bout's relevance to his family. In one of his Instagram posts, he asked for prayer support for his ailing grandmother - the sentiments of which would push him to deliver above himself.
The clean record of 21 wins which consists of 18 KOs is enough reason to activate all the swift pacey jabbing and follow up combinations he is known for.
Tagoe is assured of a $200,000 purse while Garcia smiles to the Bank for a minimum of $1 million pay day. This alone is an indication of the amount of work lying ahead of the Ghanaian brand wise and relevance wise. He does understand perfectly, the reason why he told JoySports in an earlier interview, "I have done all I need to do in Ghana. It's now time for me to announce myself out there and do big things."
All said and done, this is a major crossroad that can catapult Tagoe a great deal if he overcomes the puzzle Garcia presents. While this bout is Garcia's comeback, promoted by Golden Boy, It could be anybody's night.
Latest Stories
-
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: EOCO hasn’t requested for FBI report – Office of the Special Prosecutor
35 mins -
Andre Ayew scores 5th league goal as Le Havre beat Strasbourg
43 mins -
Ejisu by-election: NPP didn’t sanction money distribution to voters – Richard Ahiagbah
51 mins -
Ghana Health Service opens vacancies for 204 doctors, 25 dentists
1 hour -
Domestic tourism on the rebound with 1.4m visits to attraction sites in 2023 – GTA
2 hours -
Government working hard to complete Tema General Hospital project – Dr Okoe Boye
2 hours -
Ipswich Town seal Premier League promotion after 22 years absence
2 hours -
Accord journalists the respect due them – Opare Gyan
2 hours -
EPL: Arsenal beat Bournemouth to go four points clear of Man City
2 hours -
Cecilia Dapaah’s case: What’s happening now is a clear indication of cover-up – Amaliba
2 hours -
I felt rejected by Ghanaians – AY Poyoo
3 hours -
Terrorist cell of five Daesh supporters dismantled in Essaouira
3 hours -
My former manager deleted my songs from streaming platforms – AY Poyoo
3 hours -
Afronita and Abigail get standing ovation at Britain’s Got Talent
4 hours -
Accused in murder of a military officer in Kasoa remanded
4 hours