Agbeko for 2011 Dennie Mancini trophy Nov 20

ALL SPORTS can exclusively reveal that even before he steps into the ring on December 3 to bid for a reclaim of his recently lost IBF Bantamweight title against Abner Mares, the Directors of the Commonwealth Boxing Council have voted to award the 2011 Dennie Mancini Trophy to Joseph King Kong Agbeko. The award is named after the late Dennie Mancini (1933-2004), one of the greatest figures in Commonwealth boxing history and is awarded each year to the person deemed to have achieved the most in that year to the aims of Commonwealth Boxing. The trophy takes the form of a bronze bust of Dennie sculpted by artist Tanya Petersen of Creative Spiral, herself coincidentally a relative by marriage of former empire heavyweight champion, the great Jack Petersen of Wales. Awarded since 2006, past recipients include Tshifhiwa Munyai of South Africa (2006), Bradley Pryce of Wales (2007), Ghanaian legend Azumah Nelson (2008), Briton Amir Khan (2009) and Ricky Burns, also British (2010).

The formal ceremony to reward Agbeko takes place during the British Boxing Board of Control Awards event which this year takes place in London on 20th November, 2011. Ghana boxing Authority President Samir Captan who will attend the event is expected to receive the award on behalf of Agbeko who is in the US fervently preparing towards next month’s epic rematch against the Mexican Mares.