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Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Preview of Yonatan Landman vs. Asamoah Wilson

Yonatan Landman is scheduled to face Asamoah Wilson on November 16 at Centre Point Mall in Accra, Ghana. This is the first of two fights Landman has scheduled in the span of eight days.

Landman is 5-0 with 5 KOs during his young pro career, which started in January. He has fought as a flyweight and super flyweight. Yonatan applies smart pressure and is developing into a devastating power puncher. He has a good jab, but sometimes needs his coach to prompt him to throw it. In the ring, Landman does listen to his coach, his father Shai, which has proven to be wise.

On paper, Asamoah Wilson is a tough opponent. The 38 year old Ghanaian turned pro before Landman was born. He has a 6-9 record and has challenged for the Ghanaian, West African, Commonwealth, and WBU world super flyweight titles. He fought in England against Don Broadhurst and popular journeyman Jamie Speight. He even scored a first round TKO in England against a 9-1 fighter.

But Wilson (whose name is reversed on BoxRec) doesn't pass the eye test. He was winless when he challenged for the the first three of those super flyweight titles. Against Broadhurst, he managed to bloody his nose in the first with a wild right in their 2009 clash, but he then took a beating until the fight was stopped in the sixth. His first round TKO in England was caused by an accidental headbutt; the opponent got cut and an unfair stoppage loss.

In 2019, Wilson challenged Tasif Khan for the vacant WBU super flyweight world title despite having a losing record. The WBU is considered even less legitimate than the other alphabet sanctioning bodies. Wilson embarrassed himself against Khan, reacting in an exaggerated manner when hit with left hooks. At the ten second warning clap, he turned his back like a novice thinking it was the bell. In the second round, he lost a point for leading with his head. He soon collapsed to the canvas twice for no particular reason. The second time, he got up and rocked his body to show the referee he was too woozy to continue.

In his next fight three years later, Wilson was a sitting duck for Gabriel Odoi Laryea's right hand. Wilson fell in the second round with an apparent leg injury. He next fought three years later, last August, against a beginner named David Nortey. Nortey was 0-3, but didn't know how to box. Wilson dominated the fight, knocking Nortey down four times. Wilson showed a good jab and a powerful but wide right. Nortey managed to last the full six rounds.

Wilson likely won't come to the fight against Landman to lie down, but Yonatan can convince his elder to give up quickly with some early accurate shots. Landman's next opponent, Albert Commey is the tougher foe, but he can't overlook Asamoah Wilson who is an experienced veteran with a punch.

This contest is scheduled for six rounds.

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