Joe Maphosa is gearing up to his next fight and getting ever closer to challenging for championships.
The Thornaby boxer is one of the star attractions at Dunston’s Lancastrian Suite on Saturday, July 6.
“Smokin’ Joe” will be chasing the ninth consecutive victory at the Black Flash Promotions event, in association with Queensberry Promotions.
And Maphosa (pictured) will go into the bout brimming with confidence and infused by some extra knowledge following a three-day stint in Glasgow with one of the world’s leading flyweights, Muhammed Waseem.
The Pakistan star, a Commonwealth Games silver medalist in 2014, and now a top-rated professional, he is preparing to fight on Saturday, June 22 at the MTK show at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
“I’ve been to MTK Scotland for three days sparring with Muhammed Waseem,” Joe told punch-lines.
“He boxed for the IBF flyweight title last year and is a very experienced boxer.
“Muhammed is used to training at the Mayweather boxing gym in America and has also had a year out in Japan sparring.
“It’s been top work for me and I have learned a lot.”
Maphosa, trained in the Natural Progression gym in Stockton by Imran Naeem and managed by Frank Warren, is already a very good boxer but working with Waseem can only add those vital extra percentage points.
The 25-year-old, a graduate of the Tees Active Sports Academy, will be looking to carry on in Dunston where he left off in Houghton in March, when he defeated Louis Norman in an excellent headline bout.
Pat Barrett’s show at the Lancastrian Suite also features Maphosa’s stablemate, Luke Cope, who will box for the fourth time as a professional.
Many eyes will be focused on the return of Jeff Saunders with Sedgefield’s “Hands of Stone” back in action for the first time since November 2017.
Basi Razaq and Michael Watson also resume following long lay-offs, while two other North-East talents, Jamie Bates and Steven Robinson, make their professional debuts.
Liverpool bantamweight, Marcel Braithwaite, seen recently boxing in Channel 5, has also been added to the bill.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Stockton & Billingham Life (No third party use of picture without permission please)
