Azumah Nelson

Nelson competed at the 1978 All-Africa Games and 1978 Commonwealth Games,^[7] winning gold medals in featherweight at both events. He was awarded Amateur Boxer of the year by the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) that same year.^[8]

However, Nelson was virtually unknown outside Ghana.^[9] Because of this, he was a decisive underdog when, on short notice, he challenged WBC featherweight champion Salvador Sánchez on 21 July 1982 at the Madison Square GardeninNew York.^[9] Nelson lost the fight by fifteenth-round technical knockout.

Nelson won all four of his fights in 1983, and he began 1984 by beating Hector Cortez by decision on 9 March in Las Vegas. Then, on 8 December of that year, he became boxing royalty by knocking out Wilfredo Gómez in round 11 to win the WBC featherweight championship.^[10] Behind on the three judges' scorecards, Nelson rallied in that round to become champion in Puerto Rico.

Nelson began 1988 by defeating Mario Martinez by a split decision over 12 rounds in Los Angeles to win the vacant WBC super featherweight title. Nelson was dropped in the 10th round of their encounter and the decision was not well received.^[11]

On 1 December 1995, defeated world champion Gabriel Ruelas in the fifth round to claim the title.^[12]

His first defense took place almost a year later, when he and Leija had their third bout. Nelson retained the title with a six-round knockout. That was the only fight Nelson had in 1996, as had become his custom.^[13]

In 1997, Nelson lost the Lineal & WBC titles to Genaro Hernandez when beaten on points in twelve rounds.^[14]

The Azumah Nelson Sports ComplexatKaneshieinAccra was named after him.^[15]

In 2014 the biography of Azumah Nelson was published. Written by Ashley Morrison it was titled "The Professor - The Life Story of Azumah Nelson" (ISBN 978-1628571059) was published by Strategic Book Publishing.

Nelson has 6 children; David Nelson, Dorinda Nelson, Doris Nelson, Dylis Nelson, Dalvin Nelson, Deloris Nelson, the son, Dalvin Azumah Nelson Junior, whom Nelson is training as a boxer.^[16] His mother was known as Madam Comfort Atwei Quarcoo, his brother was Joseph Awudu Nelson and his sisters are Beatrice Abiana, Theresa Louisa, Lakia Felecia and Oboshie Susana.^[3] Currently married to Priscilla Boakye Nelson.

In July 2018, Azumah organized a fight night to celebrate his 60th birthday at the Bukom Boxing Arena. This event brought together fighters from highly rated gyms in the country to fight contenders in their divisions. Some dignitaries including Nii Lante Vanderpuiye and Nii Amarkai Amarteifio who are two former sports ministers, Ian Walker the British High Commissioner to Ghana and Peter Zwennes the president of the Ghana Boxing Authority, graced the occasion. In all there were five bouts, three of which were won by knockout.^[17]

• List of featherweight boxing champions
• List of super featherweight boxing champions
• List of WBA world champions
• List of WBC world champions

• Boxing record for Azumah Nelson from BoxRec (registration required)
• Azumah Nelson - CBZ Profile