EMMANUEL TAGOE was only 16 when he was first thrust into the boxing business without any experience in the sport.
Now, he is unbeaten in 32 fights over 18 years and faces American star Ryan Garcia live on DAZN this Saturday.
Ryan Garcia next to opponent Emmanuel Tagoe
Emmanuel Tagoe is unbeaten in 32 fights and 18 years
But for Tagoe, boxing has not been all glitz and glamour and could have ended before it even got started.
The Ghanian was just a teenager when he was approached to take part in a professional boxing bout in Accra, his home capital.
But the offer came while Tagoe had NO prior boxing training, with street fighting his only form of combat experience at the time.
He went on to lose to countryman Lante Addy in round five of a scheduled eight – his first and only career loss.
Recalling his debut, Tagoe, 33, told SunSport: “At that time, I didn’t know anything about boxing.
“I didn’t fight amateur before, I didn’t know anything about boxing.
“I was told I would be on television, I was like, ‘OK, I like that people can see me on television’.
“But I entered the ring and I thought this guy can’t do anything to me. But the way I knew how to fight was from street fights.”
Tagoe would be inspired by the loss and vowed never to taste defeat again.
He said: “I did my best but I didn’t get the win. After that I was focussed on boxing and proved everybody wrong.
“That mentality stayed in my mind but boxing styles are different to street fights. That’s why I started learning boxing.
“I polished my mistakes and after that I told myself, ‘I don’t want to lose again’.
“I hate losing and that’s why I focused myself and pushed myself hard.”
Tagoe would go on to fight full-time – training with actual coaches – and won Ghanian and African titles while doing so.
After 21 consecutive victories over a nine-year period, the former super-featherweight made his US debut.
Emmanuel Tagoe has won Ghanian and African titles
He beat Gerardo Robles in August 2013 to announce himself to the Stateside market.
Tagoe – nicknamed The Gameboy – won once more in America and now prepares to challenge on their most touted prospects in Garcia, 23.
His journey from beaten debutant to world-title contender is a story even veteran manager Peter Kahn has not experienced before.
Kahn said: “This is a first for me regarding working with a fighter who has had this unique path to the biggest fight of his career.
“Although there is no world title on the line, it is being treated as such.
“Emmanuel has endured a lot over the past few years and has been very patient.
“It’s up to him to make it count against Ryan Garcia. He has been well prepared and has had a solid training camp.”
Tagoe was last year considered as an opponent for Garcia, but the popular lightweight instead chose to face Britain’s Luke Campbell, 34.
The fight has been brewing ever since and will finally be settled inside the Alamodome stadium in Texas.
Tagoe said: “Ryan Garcia’s a good boxer, I know Ryan Garcia. He has everything but I know everyone can lose to ‘The Gameboy’.
“I can manage Ryan Garcia and beat him very simply. Everyone can appreciate my style of boxing.
“I think I’ll show Ryan Garcia different boxing.”
For the last four years Tagoe has been coached by trainer Javiel Centeno in Florida.
It is also the adopted US home of George Kambosos Jr, 28, who in November stunned Teofimo Lopez, 24, to become unified champ.
The Aussie, who fights Devin Haney, 23, in an undisputed clash in June, is a long-time sparring partner of Tagoe’s.
And Kambosos’ upset victory to claim the lightweight belts also acts as motivation for Tagoe, who is an 8/1 underdog against Garcia.
He said: “I will do the same thing. But the way I do it will be different.
“I know George very well. I know what George can do, he’s good, I’ve sparred George several times, over 100 rounds.
“George knows me very well, I wish him good luck in the Devin Haney fight.”
Tagoe has come a long way from debut defeat to headline act – and he believes his career will only end one way.
“Very soon, you will see me as a unified champion,” he vowed.
