Wonder Tackie predicts 5th round knockout over Tszyu

Wonder Tackie, number one contender to the IBF, WBA and WBC unification bout has predicted a fifth round knockout over Kostya Tszyu, undisputed World Super Light Weight Champion from Australia in their title fight scheduled for Saturday, May 18, at Las Vegas, USA.

In an interview with the GNA Sports, Tackie who is currently the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Inter Continental Super Lightweight Champion said he has studied tapes of Tszyu and feels the Australian style of fighting suits him. He said he would use his age and strength to finish the fight in the fifth round.

The 32 year-old champion, originally from Russia but fights under the flag of his adopted nation, Australia holds the World Boxing Council (WBC), the IBF and the World Boxing Authority (WBA) Super Light Weight titles with a record 27-26-1, 23 by way of knockouts. Wonder who was optimistic of his chances of upstaging the champion said so far, preparations have been on track.

The Ghanaian boxer is under the supervision of his coaches, Charles Takyi Commey and Oko Odamtey, who coached Ike Quartey, former WBA welterweight champion. "I am going into this fight with my everything and I do not see him (Tszyu) standing in my way to achieving this feat," Tackie who is scheduled to leave for the States on Monday said.

"He would not be fighting only me but against the entire people of Ghana who have been waiting anxiously for a world title since the exit of Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey", Tackie told the GNA Sports. Tackie, 27, who is based in the USA and also holds the North America Boxing Federation (NABF) Super lightweight title has an enviable record of 26-24-2, 15 by way of knockout. While in Ghana, Tackie was the National, West African and African Lightweight Champion.

Meanwhile, Mr Edward Osei-Kwaku, Minister of Youth and Sports has pledged government support to Wonder Tackie in his up-coming Super lightweight bout against Tszyu. The Minister said this when the boxer together with officials of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) called on him at his offices in Accra for talks before Tackie leaves for the States on Monday.

Mr Osei-Kwaku said it was heart warming to see another boxer anxious to fill the vacuum caused by Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey and said that government would do everything possible to help Tackie reclaim Ghana's lost glory. He asked the boxer to take inspiration from the nation's flag, a symbol of hope and wished Ghanaians support, prayers and good will for him. The minister said as a representative of the entire nation in the ring, the country would be looking up to him to bring the belt to Ghana.

In related development, Mr Michael Tetteh, Manager of Tackie, predicted a round eighth knock-out when the GNA Sports caught up with him. He was of the view that haven gone through the necessary training, it would only be fair to take out the defending Russian born but Australia-based Champion Kostya Tszyu in the 8th round. He expressed optimism that the title would come to the country at all cost.