Saturday night, September 18, 2004, at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena a historical boxing event took place. Yet, the least known guy on the card took center stage and is now no longer a secret in the Jr. Middleweight Division. Kofi Jantuah needed this stage more than anyone else on the card, as he has toiled in obscurity throughout his career.

Other fighters in his division have known exactly who he is, and their intentions have been for Jantuah to remain a secret, so no one would know there is another threat in the 154 lbs. division.

Unfortunately for Marco Antonio Rubio, Kofi Jantuah was brought in as the  sacrificial lamb; the man who would enable Rubio to thrust himself into the number one spot in the WBC ratings. Very big mistake! Kofi was probably one of the hungriest fighters in the division, and unbeknownst to many, one of the best.

It didn't take very long for Rubio to find out, as he was debilitated from his senses in less than 30 seconds from a single hook that left him straddled sideways on the canvas, struggling to get up and regain his senses with a time span of only ten seconds. It would not happen. Rubio could not beat the count and was counted out. Once he rose to his feet, well after the count of ten, he still appeared to be trying to find his balance, as though he had been out drinking all night.

Now people will know about Kofi Jantuah, who not only needed the win, but also needed to make a statement that he belonged and that he is a serious threat to any Jr. Middleweight out there; that he did, and in grand fashion.

Going into the fight I knew there would be potential fireworks, with both fighters having a good knockout percentage on their records. I expected it, but not so soon. I anticipated Kofi establishing the jab and catching Rubio maybe with the right hand, his best weapon; but there was no need for the right hand. As the exchange took place between Jantuah and Rubio, two hooks were thrown at the same time, by both fighters, and Jantuah's found painter and the fight was over.

The one weapon I overlooked -even though I knew it certainly existed- I just didn't, for some reason see it coming into play. Jantuah can certainly relish in this win that has thrust him into the spotlight, and now all eyes will be on him.

His quest now is to prove to the boxing world he too can become a World Champion if given the chance. The first hurdle has been cleared, as he sits one step of way from realizing a potential dream that has eluded him to this point. He's at the door now and knocking very loudly. Whoever answers the door, will certainly have their hands full.

We don't know what the future holds for Jantuah, and on Saturday night he might not have become a star but he certainly became a force to be reckoned with. Most importantly, he became someone in the sport of boxing; Kofi Jantuah knew how to seize the moment...