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RADP / Pulse Ghana  >  Sports  >  Boxing

Today In History: Azumah Nelson lost WBC World Super Featherweight title

Thomas Freeman Yeboah

On 7th May 1994, Azumah Nelson suffered a defeat in the hands of American Jesse James Leija.

Azumah Nelson
Azumah Nelson

He knocked down Azumah before he went on to beat him by unanimous decision and claimed the World Boxing Council super featherweight championship in the USA.

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Nelson looked promising after he opened a cut in the corner of Leija’s left eye in the fourth round, but the American recovered from it and managed to overcome the test from the champion.

Azumah Nelson who was ageing was knocked down and his opponent dominated him by throwing punches at him and also did his defences well by blocking the return fire from the Ghanaian.

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Azumah Nelson at a point was frustrated by Leija and was even deducted points for throwing below punches.

The judges scored in favour of Leija 117-109, 117-110 and 114-113

By then, Azumah Nelson was 35 years old with rich experience in the sport as he had held the crown for a solid decade. His contender, Leija, was only 27 at the time, won by scores of 117-109, 117-110 and 114-113 on the three judge’s scorecards after having a draw with the superstar just eight months earlier.

Azumah Nelson's loss was his third career defeat as a professional boxer.

Thomas Freeman Yeboah Thomas Freeman Yeboah Ghanaian sports statistician and a football enthusiast.

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