Ghanaian light heavyweight prodigy, Jonathan Mbanugu, AKA Jon Power, will take a second fight outside Ghana in as many months when he battles American slugger Kevin Johnson for the vacant Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) Continental light heavyweight title in the US next month.
Knockout specialist Mbanugu (10–1-1, 10 KOs) has the opportunity to clinch his first career title against the rugged Johnson (4-3, 1 KO), who has never been stopped, on the ‘Tale Of Garcia’ fight bill presented by former world champion Danny ‘Swift’ Garcia’s Swift Promotions at the 2300 Arena, Pennsylvania, on October 12.
The 22-year-old Mbanugu, of the Osibor Boxing Promotions and Management stable, began his pro career with 10 straight wins, all by stoppages, before settling for a split draw against tough countryman George Akoto in Kumasi back in July.
Jon Power then took his first international contest at the beginning of August, travelling all the way to Albania to wrestle local hotshot Amarildo Bakaj for the vacant WBO youth light heavyweight belt. He succumbed to his first career defeat after putting up a valiant effort in front of the partisan home crowd at the Brian Filipi Stadium in Lezhe.
He is scheduled to return against compatriot Marciano Commey this Sunday, September 8, in an 8-rounder in Accra, but Jon Power is also focused on the tough task ahead against the 35-year-old American southpaw in Pennsylvania in October.
“I am very excited by how things are moving up very quickly for my career. I am very grateful to my manager, coach, and the entire team for their support. The best present I can give them is to win this UBO title for them,” Jon Power told Sportsinghana.com exclusively.
“I was very disappointed to lose in Albania, but it was a big learning curve for me, and the experience can only make me better. I assure my fans and all Ghanaians to watch out for a very good performance from me onwards, beginning with the fight in the US,” Mbanugu added, full of poise.
Backing the boxer to win the UBO Continental title is his astute manager, Gordon Frimpong, AKA Osibor, CEO of Osibor Boxing Promotions and Management, who can’t wait to see another of his wards annex an international diadem, following in the footsteps of Stanley ‘Ashanti Warrior’ Nyantakyi and John ‘Monster’ Zile, who won UBO Africa and international titles respectively in July.
“Jon Power is here to rule the light heavyweight division. He is very determined to make a big statement in this fight for the world to take notice. He is preparing well, the coaches are working hard on him, and I know he will make us all proud,” Mr. Frimpong said.
“We need the support of all Ghanaians to go and secure the victory, so we request everybody to remember us in their prayers. We promise to win this title; it’s the stepping stone to the world title. We are focused on achieving it,” Osibor emphasized.
