In a surprising turn of events, Dalvin Azumah Nelson Junior, son of legendary Ghanaian boxer Azumah Nelson, has bid farewell to the boxing ring. The decision comes after Nelson Junior, who embarked on his boxing journey in 2017, concluded that the sport wasn’t suited for “Dada ba” – pampered kids.
Initially delving into the world of boxing at the amateur level and even training under Lartekwei Lartey, Nelson Junior faced the arduous challenge of balancing his pugilistic pursuits with academics. Despite his dedication, the strain proved too much, leading him to relinquish his boxing gloves upon graduating from the University of Ghana.
Azumah Nelson, reflecting on his son’s departure from the sport, shared insights into the grueling demands of boxing. “He realized that boxing is not for ‘Dada ba’ people. It’s a sport for hustlers and people from not-too-good backgrounds,” remarked the former WBC featherweight champion in an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV.
Unfazed by his son’s decision, Azumah Nelson expressed understanding, acknowledging the immense physical and mental toll boxing exacts. “I’m not worried that he quit the sport because I wasn’t the one receiving the blows. He was the one receiving it and realized he could not take the blows,” he added.
Azumah Nelson, a titan of the boxing world during the 1980s and 1990s, boasts an illustrious career adorned with numerous titles, including the WBC featherweight and super featherweight championships. Renowned as one of Africa’s greatest boxers, he amassed an impressive record of 39 victories, two draws, and just six losses over 47 bouts.
Elevating his legacy further, the Ghanaian boxing icon earned a coveted place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, solidifying his status as a revered figure in the annals of the sport.
As Nelson Junior bids adieu to boxing, his father’s towering legacy serves as a reminder of the enduring impact and challenges inherent in the pursuit of pugilistic greatness.
