Emmanuel Tagoe

Emmanuel Tagoe, nicknamed The Gameboy, is a Ghanaian professional lightweight boxer. He won the International Boxing Organization (IBO) lightweight title in 2016 and held it until 2018, and in 2022 he went the full twelve rounds with Ryan Garcia in San Antonio.

Early career

Tagoe was born on 10 January 1989. He turned professional on 19 June 2004 and lost his debut to Lante Addy in Accra, stopped in the fifth round. He then built a long unbeaten run on Ghanaian cards, reaching a record of 26 wins and one loss, with 13 knockouts.

IBO champion

On 2 December 2016 he fought the former world champion Mzonke Fana of South Africa for the vacant IBO lightweight title at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra. Tagoe put Fana down twice in the first round and won a wide unanimous decision, 120-106 on two cards and 120-107 on the third. Fana collapsed in his corner after the final bell and was taken to hospital before the result was announced.

Ryan Garcia and later fights

On 9 April 2022 Tagoe faced the American Ryan Garcia at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Garcia had predicted a knockout, but Tagoe lasted the distance and lost a unanimous decision, 119-110 on two cards and 118-109 on the third.

A 2024 bout with the American prospect Keyshawn Davis was announced for Newark, New Jersey, but Tagoe never signed the contract and his team withdrew. In August 2025 he beat Modibo Keita on points.