Richard Oblitey Commey (born 10 March 1987) is a Ghanaian professional boxer who held the IBF lightweight title in 2019. He previously held multiple regional lightweight titles including; the Ghanaian title in 2011; the ABU title in 2013; and the Commonwealth title from 2014 to 2015.

Richard Commey
Born
Richard Oblitey Commey

(1987-03-10) 10 March 1987 (age 37)
Accra, Ghana
NationalityGhanaian
Statistics
Weight(s)Lightweight
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights36
Wins30
Wins by KO27
Losses5
Draws1

Professional career

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On 9 September 2016, Commey fought for a world title for the first time in his career, against undefeated Robert Easter Jr. Both fighters had a strong start in the first four rounds. Commey managed to drop Easter Jr. in the eighth round, but it wouldn't be enough for the judges, two of them scoring the fight 115–112 and 114–113 in favor of Easter Jr., while the third judge scored the fight 114–113 for Commey, handing Easter Jr. the split-decision win.[1]

After losing to Robert Easter Jr. for the vacant IBF lightweight title in 2016, Commey defeated Isa Chaniev in 2019 to capture the IBF title in his second attempt.[2][3]

In his next fight, Commey made his first title defence, against former champion Ray Beltrán. The title however, was on the line for Beltran, since he failed to make the required weight limit for the fight. Commey dropped Beltrán four times during the fight, the last knockdown being the decisive one, since it prompted referee Eddie Hernandez Sr to stop the fight.[4]

Next up, Commey squared off against undefeated 22-year old prospect Teófimo López on 14 December 2019, who was ranked #1 lightweight by the IBF.[5] During the middle of the second round, both fighters tried to connect on a right hand, but López was the one who got to his target first, catching Commey with a vicious right hand which sent him down on the floor. Commey managed to beat the count, however, López immediately went in attack mode, forcing the referee to stop the fight.[6]

On 13 February 2021, Commey rebounded from his defeat against López with a sixth-round knockout victory against Jackson Marinez.[7]

On 11 December 2021, Commey faced recently deposed former champion Vasiliy Lomachenko from Ukraine in an almost one-sided fight. Lomachenko dominated the fight from round one to round twelve. In round 7 Commey was knocked down and visibly shaken, causing Lomachenko to tell Commey's corner to stop the fight because of the obvious damages done to the Ghanaian fighter. After some ringside verification at the start of round 8, Commey continued, and Lomachenko won nearly all the remaining rounds. Lomachenko defeated Commey in a unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

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36 fights 30 wins 5 losses
By knockout 27 2
By decision 3 3
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
36 Loss 30–5–1 José Ramirez KO 11 (12), 2:34 26 Mar 2023 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, US
35 Draw 30–4–1 José Pedraza SD 10 27 Aug 2022 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
34 Loss 30–4 Vasiliy Lomachenko UD 12 11 Dec 2021 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US For vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
33 Win 30–3 Jackson Marinez KO 6 (10), 2:35 13 Feb 2021 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, US
32 Loss 29–3 Teófimo López TKO 2 (12), 1:13 14 Dec 2019 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Lost IBF lightweight title
31 Win 29–2 Ray Beltrán KO 8 (12), 0:54 28 Jun 2019 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US Retained IBF lightweight title
30 Win 28–2 Isa Chaniev TKO 2 (12), 0:39 2 Feb 2019 Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas, US Won vacant IBF lightweight title
29 Win 27–2 Yardley Armenta Cruz TKO 2 (8), 0:29 4 Aug 2018 Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, US
28 Win 26–2 Alejandro Luna TKO 6 (12), 1:54 10 Mar 2018 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, US
27 Win 25–2 Hedi Slimani UD 12 11 Mar 2017 Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra, Ghana Won vacant WBC International Silver lightweight title
26 Loss 24–2 Denis Shafikov SD 12 2 Dec 2016 Tough Fight Gym, Moscow, Russia
25 Loss 24–1 Robert Easter Jr. SD 12 9 Sep 2016 Santander Arena, Reading, Pennsylvania, US For vacant IBF lightweight title
24 Win 24–0 Anzor Gamgebeli TKO 2 (8), 2:02 19 Mar 2016 MusikTeatret, Albertslund, Denmark
23 Win 23–0 Kakha Avetisiani TKO 5 (10), 1:17 17 Oct 2015 Dm-Arena, Karlsruhe, Germany
22 Win 22–0 Bahodir Mamadjonov TKO 8 (10), 1:48 22 May 2015 The D Hotel & Casino, Paradise, Nevada, US Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental lightweight title
21 Win 21–0 Thompson Mokwana TKO 7 (12), 0:29 14 Mar 2015 Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa Retained Commonwealth lightweight title
20 Win 20–0 Mikheil Avakian TKO 4 (8), 1:49 7 Feb 2015 Arena Nord, Frederikshavn, Denmark
19 Win 19–0 Samir Ziani UD 10 13 Dec 2014 MusikTeatret, Albertslund, Denmark
18 Win 18–0 Gary Buckland UD 12 12 Jul 2014 York Hall, London, England Won vacant Commonwealth lightweight title
17 Win 17–0 Prince Ofotsu TKO 8 (12), 0:10 26 Dec 2013 Sports Stadium, Accra, Ghana Won vacant African lightweight title
16 Win 16–0 Paul Truscott TKO 8 (12), 1:28 13 Jul 2013 York Hall, London, England
15 Win 15–0 Bilal Mohammad KO 7 (12), 1:37 8 Mar 2013 City Engineers Yard, Accra, Ghana Won IBF Continental Africa lightweight title
14 Win 14–0 Fuseini Ahmed TKO 7 (8), 2:12 8 Dec 2012 Will Power Boxing Complex, Accra, Ghana
13 Win 13–0 Kris Hughes RTD 4 (8), 3:00 15 Sep 2012 York Hall, London, England
12 Win 12–0 Simas Volosinas TKO 3 (6), 1:55 7 Jul 2012 York Hall, London, England
11 Win 11–0 Korley Collison TKO 6 (12), 2:13 16 Dec 2011 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana Won Ghanaian lightweight title
10 Win 10–0 Yusif Salifu TKO 3 (8), 1:27 2 Dec 2011 Cantonments, Accra, Ghana
9 Win 9–0 Zakaria Salifu TKO 4 (8), 1:23 4 Nov 2011 Prison's Canteen, Accra, Ghana
8 Win 8–0 Tetteh Lamptey TKO 3 (8), 2:42 21 Oct 2011 Prison's Canteen, Accra, Ghana
7 Win 7–0 Emmanuel Odoi KO 2 (8) 10 Sep 2011 Accra, Ghana
6 Win 6–0 Dan Quartey KO 2 (8), 2:43 30 Jul 2011 Lebanon House, Accra, Ghana
5 Win 5–0 Zakaria Salifu TKO 3 (8), 1:24 24 Jun 2011 Prison's Canteen, Accra, Ghana
4 Win 4–0 Yaw Sakiya TKO 3 (8), 2:52 21 May 2011 Lebanon House, Accra, Ghana
3 Win 3–0 Kuma Doe KO 3 (8) 29 Apr 2011 Prison's Canteen, Accra, Ghana
2 Win 2–0 Obile Issaka TKO 1 (6), 2:45 2 Apr 2011 Prison's Canteen, Accra, Ghana
1 Win 1–0 Baba Nsor TKO 2 (6), 0:59 26 Feb 2011 Prison's Canteen, Accra, Ghana

References

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  1. ^ "Robert Easter Wins IBF Gold, Edges Very Tough Richard Commey". BoxingScene.com. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  2. ^ Koranteng, Daniel (3 February 2019). "Richard Commey wins IBF World title after 2nd Rnd TKO win over Chaniev". CitiNewsRoom. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Commey knocks out Chaniev to win IBF world lightweight title". MyJoyOnline. Wires. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Richard Commey Drops Ray Beltran Four Times, TKO in Eight". BoxingScene.com. 28 June 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  5. ^ "Commey vs Lopez - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  6. ^ Christ, Scott (2019-12-14). "Commey vs Lopez results: Teofimo Lopez knocks out Richard Commey to win IBF title, says Vasiliy Lomachenko is next". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2020-11-14.
  7. ^ "Richard Commey knocks out Jackson Marinez in round 6". www.ghanaweb.com. 2021-02-14. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
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