"I did not come here for vacation or a picnic. I came not only to win but to confiscate the world title".
Those were the words of South African boxer and former world champion, Mzonke Fana who arrived in Ghana on Wednesday night to face Ghanaian boxer, Emmanuel "Game Boy" Tagoe for the IBO lightweight title today at the Bukom Arena in Accra.
The confident Fana, who was not intimidated by the Ghanaian crowd at the airport to welcome him, is optimistic of denying the Game Boy his first ever world title. The 43-year-old believes he is prepared and having seen some fights of his Ghanaian opponent, he is ready to take the title to South Africa.
"This is boxing and I have fought the best boxers in the world and ready to give the Ghanaian a good fight. I am experienced and prepared to take the title", he stated.
If Fana's confidence coupled with the determination and readiness of Tagoe is anything to go by, then Ghanaians and boxing enthusiasts are in for some electrifying bout under the auspices of Baby Jet Promotions.
Those words from Fana have obviously sent no shivers down the spine of Game Boy as he has made worse threats and ready to take on his opponent. Game Boy earlier said, his opponent would not go beyond six rounds and he is only thinking about how to defend the title as winning the fight is a done deal.
Perhaps as the younger boxer among the two(29 years), Tagoe appears more athletic, sharp and desperate for success as compared to his opponent he is close to retirement.
Perhaps the last fight of his career. All is set for the showdown on Friday at the Bukom Arena where history would be made as the first world title bout to be hosted in Ghana's first boxing arena.
The boxers weigh-in today and having made their intentions clear to the public, fans will be looking forward to some exciting fight especially on the part of the Ghanaian boxer.
For a boxer, who knows his purpose in Ghana, that is to win the world title, he would definitely not be a walk over for Tagoe.
It is the "Fight of Destiny" and certainly, both boxers would take their destiny into their own hands as the battle it out for glory. Dignitaries in the boxing and sports fraternity including Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, government officials and Chiefs of the Ga Traditional Council, former and current boxers and supporters would troop the venue to be part of history.