Former WBO super-bantamweight champion Isaac Dogboe has announced his retirement from professional boxing, bringing the curtain down on a career that made him one of Ghana’s most accomplished fighters of his generation.

The 31-year-old, nicknamed “The Royal Storm”, leaves the sport with a record of 24 wins, four defeats and 16 knockouts after competing against some of boxing’s biggest names across two weight divisions.

Dogboe’s defining moment came in April 2018 when he defeated American Jessie Magdaleno to claim the WBO super-bantamweight title. At just 23, he became Ghana’s youngest-ever boxing world champion, cementing his place among the country’s greatest fighters.

The victory remains one of the landmark achievements in Ghanaian boxing history, with Dogboe stopping Magdaleno in the 11th round after a relentless display of aggression and resilience.

He followed that triumph with a successful first title defence, knocking out Japan’s Hidenori Otake inside the opening round to underline his credentials as one of the division’s most exciting champions.

• World title highs and setbacks

Dogboe’s reign ended against Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete, who defeated him before repeating the feat in a rematch.

Rather than walk away from the sport, Dogboe rebuilt his career in the featherweight division, earning victories over Chris Avalos, Adam Lopez and Christopher Diaz as he continued to challenge elite opposition.

He later fought Cuban star Robeisy Ramirez for the WBO featherweight world title and faced England’s Nick Ball in a WBC final eliminator.

Throughout his career, Dogboe became known for his fearless fighting style and devastating punching power, while his trademark battle cry, “Neho” – meaning “to uproot” – became synonymous with his warrior mentality.

• Emotional farewell

Announcing his retirement in a post on Instagram, Dogboe thanked God, his fans and everyone who supported him throughout his journey.

“Glory be to the Lord Almighty and thank you, boxing fans and supporters. Your support over the years is greatly appreciated. Words alone cannot express my sincerest gratitude. Thank you. NEHO. This is goodbye.”

Beyond his achievements inside the ring, Dogboe has been widely praised for inspiring young Ghanaian boxers and promoting the sport’s development in his home country.

His journey from a promising talent in Ghana to becoming a world champion made him a role model for aspiring fighters across Africa.

As he steps away from professional boxing, Dogboe leaves behind more than championship belts and impressive statistics.

His legacy is defined by historic triumphs, resilience in the face of setbacks and a career that helped reinforce Ghana’s rich boxing tradition, ensuring “The Royal Storm” will remain one of the country’s most memorable champions.