Ghana‘s Lartei Lartey Scores Another Big Upset, This Time on ESPN2
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Correspondent – Ringside
Atlantic City, NJ (April 22, 2013)– Manager Eric Darko has got himself a winner, and for the first time since Osumanu Adama, Accra, Ghana has produced another rising star in the form of welterweight southpaw Emmanuel Lartei Lartey.
Coming off a ten round decision win over former Golden Boy prospect Michael Anderson in January 2013 in Newark, Emmanuel Lartei Lartey went to 15-0 with a six round unanimous decision over 13-0 Jonathan Batista of the Dominican Republic in the televised ESPN2 walkout bout on ESPN Friday Night Fights at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Thanks to Javier Fortuna’s first round knockout over Miguel Zamudio in the televised main event, Lartey got thrust into the ESPN2 television spotlight and did not disappoint viewers.
The Lartey corner was on the stage, and no less than six voices were heard shouting instructions in the Ghana Accra language dialect (either Dangbe or Ga) to Lartey, who listened intensely to his corner and followed instructions but still lost the first round or two, as Batista’s jab thwarted some of his repeated efforts to get inside.
Despite being slightly shorter, by round three, Lartey had fought his way inside, and had mounted a consistent head and body attack which wore Batista down. What was supposed to be a tune up bout for Batista became a nightmare, as the spirited Lartey put on a thrilled display of heart, courage and showed determination to win.
Cheered on by his corner, Lartey gave a magnificent effort, with consistent straight jabs and a persistent body attack, and had everybody watching his enthusiasm. All in all, a job well done. Batista, unable to keep up with the punch count, tried to hold when he was in trouble, which was frequent as he slowed down and tired under the furious pace in rounds four, five and six. If this bout was an eight rounder, Batista would never have made it out. At 32, Lartey is well on his way to a world title shot, if only he finds the right promoter to bring him there (versus those who don’t care).
Lartey, 32, had been 10 rounds twice and 12 rounds twice before this bout, and a careful analysis of his record shows a 12 round decision win over Kaiser Mabuza of South Africa. Mabuza later stopped Kendall Holt, right after Holt decked Timothy Bradley in the first round of their 12 round WBC and WBO Light Welterweight World championship bout. Whoever thought putting Lartey into a six round fight for a quick win was a good idea clearly did not do their homework. Lartey, as has been proven for the second consecutive fight, definitely is ‘not’ an opponent.
The bout was a bit closer than scoring indicated. Lartey’s desire to win gave him the edge which put him over the top. His enthusiasm is refreshing. The sport needs it.
Result: Emmanuel Lartei Lartey Win 6 Jonathan Batista, Welterweights
Scoring: 60-54, 59-55, 59-55 Lartey. Referee: Brian O’Melia
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