Commey: Beltran is a dangerous boxer

Richard Oblitey Commey, International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion, has described Raymundo Beltran as a threat to his crown as he prepares to make his first title defence against the Mexican at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, California, on June 28.

Commey, who has intensified his training in Long Island, New York, believes it will be a great fight against Beltran since both of them fight aggressively.

Beltran will be looking forward to winning his second world title when he challenges Commey for his IBF strap, having welcomed renowned trainer, Freddie Roach, back to his corner.

However, the 32-year-old Ghanaian said he was focused on making a successful title defence against the experienced Beltran whom he said had been at the highest level for a long time.

“I think it will be a great fight. We both have aggressive styles and being a former world champion, he knows what it takes at this level so I will not be underestimating him.

“Beltran will be a threat, having been at this level for a very long time. He also has Freddie Roach in his corner so there is a lot of experience there,” he said

The Commey-Beltran bout is expected to headline the Top Rank June 28 card in California and the Ghanaian has been under intense training ahead of the fight by Andre Rozier.

Commey (28-2, 25 KOs) will be making a return into the ring for the first time in four months since stopping Isa Chaniev in round two last February to win the world title.

His scheduled fight with WBA and WBO lightweight titlist, Vasyl Lomachenko, on April 12, was ruined after he sustained a right hand injury in the fight against Chaniev.

When asked about a possible clash with Lomachenko after the Beltran fight, Commey said he would not try to disrespect Beltran (36-8-1, 22 KOs) by looking at fights beyond him since that could be detrimental to his chances.

“To be honest, it’s disrespectful towards Ray Beltran if I look at fights beyond him. My main focus is to defend my title on June 28.

Training has been going well; I head off to Long Island now for the final stages of my preparation and we are on track. my trainer Andre Rozier is putting me through it and it’s very intense but that’s how I like it.

“It’s an honour to headline a Top Rank card as Ghanaians don’t get many opportunities to headline big shows in America so I’m looking forward to it,” Commey noted. Read Full Story