The paths of Robert Easter Jr. and Richard Commey are converging after originating in different parts of the world, but only one fighter will be able to continue on his way with an unblemished record and a world championship.
Robert Easter Jr. (left) and Richard Commey bring a combined record of 41-0 with 36 knockouts into their 135-pound title fight Friday night in Reading, Pennsylvania
Easter, a Toledo, Ohio, native, will battle Commey, a lifelong resident of Ghana, for a vacant 135-pound world title Friday night at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania (Spike, 9 p.m. ET/PT).
While from dissimilar backgrounds, Robert Easter Jr. (17-0, 14 KOs) and Richard Commey (24-0, 22 KOs) share a tendency for finishing opponents quickly. Easter has scored 12 of his KOs in less than three rounds, while Commey has earned 14 of his stoppages inside of four founds, and both men have KO’d their last five opponents.
“I’ve got knockouts, he’s got knockouts, but the skill level’s the difference,” Easter said. “You’ll see me control the fight, boxing, punching or standing in the middle of the ring and not getting touched.
“Once I get my game plan going, he’ll have to try to adjust to me. I’ll have him beat up and broken down after five or six rounds. We’re not looking for a knockout, but it will happen. I’ll get him outta there.”
Commey, 29, is fighting in the United States for just the second time after making his American debut with an eighth-round TKO of Bahodir Mamadjonov in Las Vegas in May 2015. In his last fight in March, he gained a second-round TKO of Anzor Gamgebeli in Albertslund, Denmark.
The 5-foot-9 Commey is looking to become the first world champion from Ghana since Joseph Agbeko held a 118-pound title in 2011. He has received encouragement from other former champions from his
homeland, such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and Joshua Clottey, as he looks to follow their path to success.
“I’ve sparred Joshua Clottey, [a former 147-pound champ] who has power,” Commey said. “I’m ready to put my life on the line, adding my name to the list of Ghanaian champion boxers by bringing a title back to my country.”
Easter is coming off a sensational fifth-round TKO of Argenis Mendez in April, when he became the first boxer to stop the former 130-pound world champion. The win capped a rapid ascent from prospect to title contender over the last 18 months.
The rangy 5-foot-11 Easter has the definite size advantage over Commey, especially when it comes to reach, where the differential is 76 inches to 69½ inches. At Thursday’s weigh-in, Easter hit the scale at 134½ pounds, while Commey came in right at 135.
“[Easter] has never fought anyone like me,” Commey said. “I’m strong, tough and can take punches all day. I respect his height and reach, but no matter what he does, I’ll keep on coming.”
Easter disagreed with that assessment, insisting he will overwhelm Commey with his power and length.
“There is nothing unique that I see coming from him that I haven’t seen or faced,” Easter said. “If I execute the game plan, this guy won’t stand a chance, and I’ll make it look easy. I say that with confidence.
“There’s some pressure on me, but I embrace all of it. This should be a walk in the park for me.”
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