BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Richard' The Scorpion' Ofuso

A Nigerian Middleweight, with what was measured as 'The Fastest Hands in Boxing'.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria in November 1955, 'The Scorpion' turned professional in 1975.

By March 1979, the 23 year-old - 5' 10" - 160 b. 'Speed-Boxer' had put together an 'unbeaten' record of 33-0-0 {14 KO's}.

Included were wins over,
* King George Aidoo
* Idrissa Konate
* Shako Mamba
* Willie Monroe

'The Scorpion' also captured the ABU (African Boxing Union) Middleweight Championship.

NBC-TV attempted to match Richard 'The Scorpion' Ofuso with Marvin Hagler for a Spring 1979 TV-Bout.

Il Duce wrote:Some early bouts included several wins over,

Thru March 1977.....Richard 'Scorpion' Ofuso was 19-0-0 {9 KO's}

1977 Bouts below,

* Antonio Gallati....{KO 9}
* Eddie Pacifico.....{KO 3}
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1976 Bouts below;

* Spider Makano...{W Dec 10}
* Spider Makano...{W Dec 10}
* Vbune Byane......{W Dec 10}
* Joe Baruka.........{W Dec 8}
* Eddie Pacifico.....{KO 6}
* David Baron.......{KO 6}
* Joe Baruka.........{W Dec 8}
* Dossou Yoro.......{W Dec 8}
* Juan Castillanes..{KO 7}
* Joe Oke.............{W Dec 8}
* Joe Darkey.........{KO 7}
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1975 Bouts below,

* Lee Granades.....{KO 5}
* Spider Makano...{W Dec 6}
* David Tiger........{W Dec 6}
* Coniare Torres....{KO 3}
* John Akundo.......{KO 5}
* Kip Mendoaca.....{W Dec 6}

Turned Professional in June 1975 -

Dart340 wrote:Excellent explanation, Il Duce, and very logical.

I can see now why local promoters would want to keep their up and comers off the radar from US record keepers as they might have their fighters/meal tickets swiped by our promoters.

I would have never thought of that in a hundred years.

This is why I religiously read your posts.

Il Duce wrote:Richard 'Scorion' Ofosu -

Was ranked as the #5 WBC and #4 WBA Middleweight in late-1979.

November 9, 1979

Went to Dakar, Senegal - and was shockingly stopped (KO'd in 1) by the physically bigger Jean-Marie Emebe.

Brisk action early in the 1st Round, and 'Scorpion' got caught by a left hook and short right hand - and was floored.
Got up at the [5-Count], but foolishly tried to slug back instead of moving. Late in the Round, got caught by a big
right hand and was 'stunned'. Moments later Emebe landed another short hard right hand punch and Scorpion was floored,
and counted out at the {2:51 Mark}.

It was the 'first time' he was ever floored in '40-Bouts'.

Ghanan Newspaper Account stated, 'Scorpion Ofosu under-estimated the power of the 'Coyote' Emebe. Scorpion
was caught by a hard punch early, and was felled for a brief count. After rising, the 'Scorpion' foolishly tried to
trade blow-for-blow with the physically bigger and harder punching Cameroon Middleweight. Late in the Round,
Emebe caught the Scorpion with a hard right hand to the side of the head that 'stunned' him, and 10-Seconds
later Emebe landed a pin-point right hand to the chin of Ofosu that floored him for the 'full-count'.

Il Duce wrote:Jean-Marie Emebe,,,,,,

Physically strong, and was unbeatable at 160 lbs. Middleweight.

Looked great at 168 lbs. Super Middleweight

A very good 175 lbs. Light Heavyweight.

Il Duce wrote:Jean-Marie Emebe,

Age 24 in 1979, was already having problems getting down to 160 lbs.

Physically big,

Il Duce wrote:I'll see if I can find the Richard 'Scorpion' Ofosu vs Prince Mamah Mohammed bout on the Internet.....

Saturday Night - October 6, 1979

Accra Sports Stadium - Accra, Ghana

'The Scorpion' was very fast, and handily defeated 'The Prince' by a 10-Round Decision in
an over-the-weight Middleweight bout.

Ghana-based Nigerian - Richard 'Scorpion' Ofosu {162 lbs.} the 'undefeated' African Middleweight Champion -
won a 10-Round Decision over 'undefeated' Prince Mamah Mohammed {168 lbs.} in an over-the-weight bout.

The Scorpion utilized his speed, to outbox the bigger and slower Mamah. Ofosu used fast left jabs
and quick right hand leads, to baffle Mamah over the first 4-Rounds.

The Prince was able to land several of his hard punches in Round 5, but he could not trap the quick
Scorpion, who used fast footwork and side-to-side movement in avoiding the follow up blows.

Both fighters were tentative in Round 6, as each appeared to take a breather. In Round 7, the
Scorpion was back to doing what he does best, jab and move, as he continued to out-speed
Mamah.

After building up a solid points lead thru 7 Rounds, the Scorpion used his footwork over the last 3-Rounds
to avoid any exchanges with the hard-charging Prince Mamah Mohammed.

Scorecard......97-95 (5-3-2 in Rounds)

Richard 'Scorpion' Ofosu improves to 39-0-0.
Prince 'Mamah' Mohammed loses for the first time, and drops to 14-1-0.
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Note; This bout was broadcast on Italian Television, and discussed 'Scorpion' Ofosu coming to Italy to
face undefeated Italian Middleweight Champion- Matteo Salvemini for mid-November 1979.

According to the Ghanan Sports Note (October 10, 1979) - The Olympic Auditorium (California)
wanted to bring 'Scorpion' Ofosu in for a mid-December 1979 bout with California Super Middleweight - James Waire.