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Boxing great Nelson back in WA

Azumah Nelson in Perth in 2010 with his son Dalvin. Pic: Mogens Johansen/WA News

Former two-weight world boxing champion Azumah Nelson, forever linked with his first two fights against Australian great Jeff Fenech, returns to WA next week.

The 56-year-old Ghanaian is taking part in a promotional tour to publicise a biography written by Perth author Ashley Morrison, The Professor – The Life Story of Azumah Nelson.

Fenech was denied victory over Nelson in Las Vegas in June 1991 when their clash for the WBC super-featherweight title was controversially ruled a draw.

But when they met again in Melbourne eight months later, Nelson stopped Fenech in the eighth round.

Nelson, inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004, also held world titles at featherweight.

He had a largely forgettable third fight with Fenech in 2008, a month short of the African's 50th birthday.

But it is his first two encounters with the Australian legend, as well as fights against the likes of Salvador Sanchez, Wilfredo Gomez, Pernell Whittaker and Marcos Villasana why fans remember Nelson.

Nelson, who was in Perth in 2010 along with many of Ghana's Commonwealth Games boxing squad, kicks off his tour at a function at the York Hall in Kalgoorlie next Monday, before a number of dates in Perth throughout the week, starting at Petersons Gym in Belmont on Tuesday and finishing at the Live Fitness gym in Northbridge a week on Saturday.

Monday, September 1

York Hotel, Kalgoorlie (7pm)

Tuesday, September 2

Peterson’s Gym, Belmont (5pm)

Thursday, September 4

African Football Tournament, Langley Park (4.30pm)

Friday, September 5

Nedlands Rugby Club Test Match Lunch, Perth Convention Centre (noon)

One More Round, 100 Hampton Road, Fremantle (5pm)

Western Angels Legends Football League fundraiser, WA Italian Club (7pm)

Saturday, September 6

Live Fitness Northbridge (9am)