The Junior Middleweight division has a hidden jewel yet to shine, but I feel his day will come. I'm speaking of Mr. Kofi Jantuah, born in Ashanti, Ghana 29 years ago; a town where boxing wasn't very popular but he still had a passion for the sport. 

Jantuah found boxing late in life compared to most American fighters; he found boxing at the tender age of 19 what by American standards is considered as a late bloomer, especially when you start your career in the professional ranks, no amateur experience at all. Although he's 29 years of age, boxing is still fresh because his entire career has been only a 10 year span. There is still a lot to be learned and his thirst for knowledge of the sport is quite evident; I should know since I train him.

Everyday we're trying new combinations and different defensive tactics; sometimes we may stumble upon a better way of delivering a combination through trial and error. Like when I'm holding the mitts (hand pads),  we will try a combination and he accidentally gets it wrong. Wrong is not always a bad thing; sometimes you can turn a wrong into a right or even an element of surprise. So as he grows as fighter I also grow as a trainer. He's only getting better so keep your eyes open for this Ghana Warrior. Unfortunately boxing is a business of making money more than about opportunity and Jontuah he is not a household name who  happens to be in a division that has boxing's biggest star and a few other standouts...

The division seems to be controlled by three fighters: Oscar de la Hoya, Fernando Vargas, and Shane Mosley. As they continue to fight each other over and over leaving other potential or would be Champions sitting around, waiting, fighting only to stay busy and of course to survive but also run the risk of being upset and knocked off course in their quest to become World Champions.

Kofi knows he can't afford anymore setbacks. He only has one defeat and that lone defeat in June of 2001 knocked him way off course against journeyman Manuel Gomez. In the process he learned a valuable lesson, as he was well ahead on all scorecards and got over confident and was TKO'd in the final round. He was then put on the shelf and would lose almost two years of activity; most importantly his quest for a championship was derailed.

Jantuah's current record stands at a very impressive 25-1 with 16 KO's. He holds wins over current WBO champion David Santos via 5th round KO (May 1999) and former WBA champion Santiago Samaniego via unanimous decision (January 1999). This didn't happen by accident, it wasn't a fluke. Kofi Jantuah is an excellent puncher with either hand. He just needs to find a happy medium; at times he's overly aggressive and at times he lays back too long and allows his opponent to dictate the pace of the action. Once he finds that happy medium he will be a complete fighter, ready to stake his claim and be primed to capture a World Title. In the meantime, keep your eyes open, Kofi Jantuah is One to Watch.