EMMANUEL TAGOE, just 16 years old, was the first person to be thrust into boxing without having any previous experience.
He is now unbeaten in 32 fights, and will face American star Ryan Garcia live on DAZN Saturday.
Ryan Garcia is next to Emmanuel Tagoe
Tagoe believes that boxing is not all glamour and glitz. He could have stopped it from even getting started.
When he was just a teenager, The Ghanian was offered to participate in a professional boxing bout at Accra, Ghana, his hometown capital.
The offer was made even though Tagoe did not have any prior boxing training. Street fighting was his only form of combat experience.
In round five of an eight-round scheduled tournament, he lost to his countryman Lante Ady - his only career loss.
Tagoe, 33 years old, recalled his debut to SunSport, saying: "At the time, I didn’t know anything about Boxing.
"I had never fought amateur boxing before and I didn't know much about boxing."
"I was told that I would be on television. I was like, "OK, people can see me on TV."
"But, I entered the ring and thought that this guy couldn't do anything for me. Street fights were the only way I learned how to fight.
Tagoe was inspired by the defeat and promised never to experience defeat again.
He stated that he did his best, but didn't win the fight. Then I concentrated on boxing, and proved everyone wrong.
"This mentality stuck with me, but boxing styles differ from street fights. This is why I began learning boxing.
"I cleaned up my mistakes, and then I said to myself, "I don't want lose again."
"I hate losing, that's why i focused on myself and pushed myself hard."
Tagoe would continue to fight full time, training with real coaches. He also won Ghanian as well as African titles.
The former super-featherweight won 21 consecutive bouts in a period of nine years. He made his US debut.
To announce his candidacy to the Stateside market, he beat Gerardo Robles on August 2013.
Tagoe, nicknamed The Gameboy, won again in America. Now, he is ready to take on Garcia, 23, their most coveted prospect.
Peter Kahn, a veteran manager, has never seen the story of his journey from debutant to world-title hopeful.
Kahn stated that it was a first time for him to work with a fighter who had a unique path to the greatest fight of his career.
"Although there's no world title, it's being treated as such.
"Emmanuel has persevered through a lot in the last few years and has always been patient.
Ryan Garcia is the one who will make it matter. He is well-prepared and has attended a solid training camp.
Tagoe was considered last year as a possible opponent for Garcia. But the lightweight champion chose to face Luke Campbell, 34, from Britain.
The battle has been brewing since then and will be resolved at the Alamodome stadium, Texas.
Tagoe stated: "Ryan Garcia is a good boxer. I know Ryan Garcia. He is a complete package, but I am sure everyone can lose to "The Gameboy".
Ryan Garcia is a very easy opponent. I can manage him. My style of boxing is appreciated by everyone.
"I believe I'll show Ryan Garcia a different style of boxing,"
Trainer Javiel Centeno from Florida has been coaching Tagoe for the past four years.
It's also home to George Kambosos Jr., 28, who adopted the United States in November and stunned Teofimo Lopez (24), to become the unified champion.
Tagoe's long-standing sparring partner is the Aussie who will fight Devin Haney (23 years old) in a undisputed June clash.
Kambosos' surprise victory in the lightweight belts is also a motivator for Tagoe who is an 8/1 underdog to Garcia.
He stated, "I will do it the same way." However, the way I do it is going to be different.
"I know George very well. "I know George's strengths, he's a good fighter. I've sparred George many times, more than 100 rounds.
"George is very familiar with me, and I wish him luck in the Devin Haney fight."
Tagoe's career has been a long one, from his debut defeat to being a headliner, and he is certain that it will end in the same way.
He vowed, "Very soon you will see me unified champion."
