The DAZN Boxing Show discussed Richard Commey’s standing in boxing following his defeat to Jose Ramirez at the weekend.
Commey is a former world champion at lightweight but aged 36 he moved up to 140lbs, but again came unstuck.
The veteran Ghanaian now has three losses and a draw in his last five fights, and Akin 'Ak' Reyes and Barak Bess considered his role as a potential gatekeeper for other contenders looking to make a name for themselves in the division.
Reyes said: “I just didn't see Commey being much of a challenge, and we all saw what happened in the 11th round. Is it safe to say Richard Commey has become something of a gatekeeper?”
Bess was non-committal, explaining: “He’s what 36, 37? We don’t know yet. We’re talking about an elite guy, an Olympian [in the form of] Ramirez.
“For the rest of his life, Commey is a world champion, IBF, 135lbs. So he moves up to 140. I’m not going to say he’s a gatekeeper yet because that was a good, competitive fight. He was outclassed, the bigger guy won. Commey is a tough guy, it was a body shot that stopped him.
“We’ve got to see him lose to a prospect to be a gatekeeper.”
Reyes then suggested that Commey was struggling after his defeat to Teofimo Lopez back in 2019.
He said: “I’m going to say since he’s been knocked out by Teofimo Lopez he hasn’t been the same fighter. He wasn’t an elite talent to begin with, he was a power puncher.”