Emmanuel clottey/Augustus showdown, May 19

Flamboyant Ghanaian boxer, Emmanuel clottey is expected to fight American Emmanuel Augustus (32-25-1 17 KO?s) May 19 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Florida in an expected slugfest.

The IBA Continental Americas Junior Welterweight Champion told me in a telephone conversation from his Bronx, New York base in the United States that advanced discussions are underway for a possible Augustus ten rounder bout.

The Ghanaian heavyweight prospect, Emmanuel, the senior brother of Joshua Clottey, with a fighting record (23-6,14 KOs), intends to headline with a topflight bout by prepping with the Augustus fight and another one in the last quarter of the year.''I will be a world champion by the end of the year or earlier next year, he said.

He also announced that his manager is currently into talks with WBA Junior Welterweight Champion, Pueto Rican Miguel Angel Cotto over a later September date.

Emmanuel who earlier stunned world boxing with a victory over Olympic gold-medalist Muhammad Abdullaev added, '' I am a boxer reputed for appearing remarkably unfazed by hard power punches and can stand opposition with jarring combinations.I am on the fast track route to joining that exclusive list of major tittle holders and believes the inspiration from the great Azumah Nelson, is enough.

Nicknamed ''Sleek'', Emmanuel said: the frustration and disappointment of now as a result of back-to-back losses for Ghana of late in world boxing is what I want to stop.I know Augustus is a tough and resilient boxer, but with my character of strength and determination, he can't beat me.

The former National Super Featherweight and Lightweight champion believes with huge cash injections into boxing, Ghanaian boxers could be seen winning at the most talent-laden divisions of world boxing.

Emmanuel Clottey is also a multi-skilled athlete who aims to become an actor and dancer after quiting boxing within the next decade.

He had a flashing amateur career that saw him win gold for Ghana at an OAU tournament held in Sierra Leone in 1993.