Isaac Dogboe’s royal grandfather sent his grandson to England to reunite the eight-year-old with his father and guarantee him a university education.
Torgbui Sri III, the ruler of the Anlo state in the Volta region of Ghana, was not used to being disobeyed so, when he learned young Isaac was boxing, he was heartbroken.
Isaac Dogboe is on a mission to fulfil a promise to his grandfather who sent him to London for a better lifeCredit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
Father Paul had decided his boy was too small and tenacious to play football in their new home in Kennington, South London, so the 5ft 4in terrier would enter the brutal sport of boxing.
Fifteen years and 19 pro fights later and Isaac Dogboe is WBO super-bantamweight champion of the world.
Nicknamed the Royal Storm, Dogboe’s regal lineage and back story make him one of the world’s most unlikely champions.
But they, along with his dreams of a university education, winning smile and ferocious power, should make him one of the most popular.
Young Isaac Dogboe was not supposed to be a fighterCredit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
Dogboe was robbed during the 2012 Olympics in London Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Dogboe took his WBO world title back to Ghana to share with family and dignitaries Credit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
“Ghana to London to Kennington was a shock, I came in September and it was chilly. I had the heating on full blast all the time but going out was cold but I managed to adapt very quickly.
“At some points school was easy but it was tough at the beginning.
“Early on I got in a fight and I went home to my father and he told me off, he told me to walk away and tell the teacher.
Dogboe dominated the London 2012 fight but was the victim of tragedy and turned pro soon after Credit: Getty Images – Getty
At Miguel’s gym in Brixton, 5ft 4in Dogboe is a rapidly rising star Credit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
Isaac Dogboe won the WBO super-bantamweight title in April and makes his first defence on August 25 Credit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
“I went back and the next incident was a group of guys who wanted to fight me because I was African. They pushed me in a circle with another guy and just made us fight.
“It was mad, it was totally mad. The guy just started swinging and I was just trying to block and shield myself. I went home with black and bloodshot eyes and my father asked what happened.
“I told him I got beat up but that was the last one I had and I have never been beaten up since.”
At home in Ghana, Dogboe would never have been a target for bullies thanks to his bloodline, but in London he was easy pickings.
Ex-president John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor met with the beaming champion Credit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
Isaac was earmarked for a gilded life away from the blood and guts and spit and grit of fighting for money.
So when news reached his grandfather that he was training around his studies, there was an emotional call and an unbreakable promise made, one that is driving Issac toward unifying the division just as forcefully as hopefully gaining his degree in sociology.
Dogboe said: “My grandad phoned my father and said, ‘why are you making my grandson fight?’, he was crying. But me and my dad assured him and we promised I would continue my education.
South London has been home to Isaac Dogboe since he was sent to reunite with his father aged eight Credit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
Isaac Dogboe is part of the Torgbui Badu royal family of Anyako Credit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
Isaac Dogboe took his title to King Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, King Of The Ashanti Kingdom Credit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
“Everyone in Ghana wants their child to be a doctor, professor, a lawyer or a banker.
“That is one of the things I want to change in Ghana, the way boxing is seen. There are doctors and lawyers who love boxing too.”
Isaac’s father Paul will one day be crowned Torgbui Badu IIII of Anyako but while he is in London he has been Isaac’s coach, cab driver, carer and manager.
The entire journey to the top of the 118lbs division was his idea, born of frustration more than genius in a South London park.
“I have to try to quote what father said exactly,” Isaac said while recalling the moment his dad hit upon the brainwave to swap boots for gloves.
Dogboe showed of his belt to Ghana president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Credit: Instagram @isaacbraveson
He said: “My dad grew up in a part of Ghana where he had some boxing friends so he was always around the area and he picked bits up.
“When he came over here he joined the Territorial Army and he started learning more there.
“We would train in Kennington Park and we would end up drawing a crowd, people would gather around and some would worry about me, saying ‘you’re training your boy too hard’.”
Paul’s military background and self-taught style merged perfectly with Isaac’s faith and the pair clinched amateur titles within a year of being affiliated with their first gym.
But a robbery at the 2012 London Olympics, when judges snatched a certain victory away from the 17-year-old, was one of many bumps in the road.
And a rapid turnover to the professional ranks led to coaches and money men trying to break the pair up.
Without the backing of a British promoter or manager, the fearless pair went on the road, fighting in Switzerland, Ireland, America, Ghana and New Zealand.
But all roads let to Philadelphia where on April 28 he climbed off the canvas, following the first knockdown of his career, to stop Jessie Magdaleno.
No entourage bundled into the ring, the new champion just fell softly to his knees and enjoyed a few moments of contemplation.
He said: “When you face adversity you are able to discover your true self. When he was taking a beating his adrenaline kicked in but we knew he was hurt and I just had to bide my time.
Isaac Dogboe is a fearless fighter with a brutal ability to attack the body Credit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
Many fighters in the super-bantamweight division tower over Dogboe Credit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
“It had been such a long road but when we finally got the victory it was in grand style so everything was great.”
On Saturday, Dogboe will lead his corner out once again, this time fighting Japanese veteran Hidenori Otake in the scorching desert of Arizona.
Rey Vargas, the WBC king some eight inches taller that Dogboe, is next on the hitlist in the bid to unify the division.
But this assault on 54kg class will all be done around his studies, a handful of English universities have received his application to study sociology.
Ghana and the UK should both be incredibly proud of their little-known hero, but only one opinion really counts.
“My grandfather passed away in 2014, while I was training in California” Dogboe said.
“I am sure, whereever his soul is, that he is very happy and I hope he is proud.”
