The Professor: How Azumah Nelson became Africa’s greatest boxing legend

There has been only one "Professor" in African boxing: Ghana's Azumah Nelson, whose approach and technical brilliance earned him the nickname inside the ring.

The true beauty of Nelson's talent lay in the speed and powerful punches that extended far beyond the cradle of Ghanaian boxing in Bukom to the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden in New York.

To date, when boxing is mentioned in Africa, its history cannot be told without 'The Professor' at the heart of the story.

We look back at the highlights of the three-time world champion and the ring achievements that continue to inspire in Ghana and beyond.

The world titles

After an unbeaten 1983, it was in March of the next year that Nelson elevated his level once more.

He knocked out Wilfredo Gomez in the 11th round in Puerto Rico to clinch the World Boxing Council (WBC) Featherweight Championship. His first world title, driven by his inner resolve to be the best. Nelson also acquired the nickname 'Terror Warrior', which saw him retain the title until 1987, when he took the decision to relinquish his belt for a chance to step up to super featherweight.

It was a success. In 1988, he became the WBC super featherweight champion by defeating Mexico's Mario Martinez in a split decision.

At the peak of his career, the puncher known for his powerful overhand defeated another great Mexican, world champion Gabriel Ruelas, and later successfully reclaimed the title in a thrilling series of fights with USA's Jesse James Leija.

Nelson retired from the sport with a record of 38 wins from 46 bouts in his illustrious pro career, including 27 knockout victories. After hanging up his gloves following his last recorded fight in 2008 in Australia, Azumah, who has a sports complex named after him in Accra, remained committed to the promotion of boxing.

His legacy is impossible to miss in Ghana.

The country's first boxing arena, the Bukom Boxing Arena, located in his hometown, proudly carries his name. Honouring him alongside fellow legends like Ike Quartey, and D.K. Poison.

The world of boxing also acknowledged his greatness when he became the first African to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, a true icon of the sport.