UNDEFEATED JOSHUA WAHAB SEALS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH DIBELLA ENTERTAINMENT

Published by Shawn C.

Rising African prospect Joshua Wahab (20-0,
13 KOs) put pen to paper on a three-year promotional deal with DiBella
Entertainment, signing on the dotted line at The Golden Tulip Hotel, in
Accra, Ghana.

Wahab, born in Lagos, Nigeria, spoke of his immense pride at sealing his
contract and excitement at linking up with world-renowned trainer Manny
Robles.

“I want to thank almighty Allah for getting me this opportunity and I want
to thank my manager Michael Amoo-Bediako for getting me this promotional
deal with Lou DiBella,” the undefeated super featherweight stated.

“I am pleased to be with them because I know the good work they have done
with Richard Commey and I know that with this team, along with my new
trainer Manny Robles, I will become a world champion,” continued Wahab. “I
want to thank Charles Quartey and Kamel [who formed my previous team] for
all the hard work they have put into my development over the years, and I
will not let them down.”

It was a coming together of Amoo-Bediako and Lou DiBella that started
Richard Commey’s rise to prominence and world championships, with Michael
taking Commey from the streets of Accra to Madison Square Garden.

Amoo-Bediako’s new management contract with Wahab excites him just as much
and reminds him of the early days with his former IBF lightweight world
champion.

“I am really pleased to add 20-0 super featherweight Joshua Wahab to our
growing number of fighters that will be plying their trade stateside with
DiBella Entertainment,” said Amoo-Bediako. “My relationship with Lou since
the signing of Richard Commey has grown into an understanding of what it
takes to make an African fighter a world champion.

“There are many stereotypes when it comes to African fighters and we are
working hard to break those down. I believe, with Joshua Wahab, we have
another potential champion from the motherland. He will be training with
world-renowned trainer Manny Robles, who I know is excited to be linking up
with Joshua. We look forward to his progress in what is a very hot division
with the likes of Oscar Valdez, Shakur Stevenson, Joseph Diaz, Carl
Frampton, and DiBella’s own Tevin Farmer, to name but a few.”

The relocation stateside will be one of the largest obstacles for the
Ghana-based Nigerian native, and the culture change has presented issues
for those who’ve completed it in the past. Wahab is a determined
individual, desperate to seize his opportunity, but the trainer plotting
his route to the top knows it’s one step at a time.

“I am definitely looking forward to working with Joshua,” added new
trainer, and Los Angeles-based creator of champions, Manny Robles. “I’m
excited to have Joshua arrive in America and initiate training. I’m looking
forward to the journey and we will take one fight at a time.”

Fellow Amoo-Bediako/DiBella stablemate and friend Richard Commey had some
words of wisdom for the WBA Pan-African champion.

“It’s great that Joshua will be joining me in America. I have sparred with
him in Ghana on a couple of occasions and I can tell he is going to be a
problem for anyone in the 130-pound division,” said Commey. “He now has the
right promoter and, of course, the best manager and now teaming up with
Manny [Robles], I think he has a great opportunity to become a world
champion. But he must listen and work hard and not be distracted by outside
influences once he reaches America.”

As the deal was finalized, the final word went to Lou DiBella, Wahab’s new
promoter. DiBella has specialized in taking the sport’s underdogs or
unfancied and has reveled in playing a part in their success. In Wahab, he
believes he has the chance to do it all over again and that excites him.

“Joshua Wahab is one of the top super featherweights in Africa. After
developing himself locally, building his record to 20-0, Wahab has been
scouted by Michael Amoo-Bediako, who is one of the premier managers in the
game and one of the most influential people in the African boxing scene,”
said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment.

“Many African fighters throughout boxing history have left home to test
themselves against the best and now, it’s Wahab’s turn. Amoo-Bediako, who
helped introduce former world champion Richard Commey to an American
audience, has teamed up with DiBella Entertainment to bring Wahab to the
United States. I am excited to work with Wahab as he reaches his
full potential.”

The journey truly starts now.