I don’t know how to explain my happiness.
That was the reaction of former Sunderland champion Thomas Essomba after a superb victory over Sean McGoldrick in Liverpool.
Punch-lines can sum up Essomba’s happiness in six beautiful words: World Boxing Association Continental bantamweight campion.
The 31-year-old, now boxing out of Wolverhampton, outboxed and outfought the previously-unbeaten Welshman on the JDNXTGEN event at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
All three judges had different tallies, but the three English officials were all correct in scoring for Essomba, Michael Alexander 96-94, Howard Foster 97-93 and Terry O’Connor 98-93.
“I don’t know how to explain my happiness,” Essomba told Sky Sports. “I’m so happy.
“I believed I could come back and show my skill.
“I’m in the gym all the time and have a good team, I will fight anyone.”
Essomba will fight anyone, anywhere.
He’s a former Commonwealth and English champion and while he’s now based in the West Midlands with the BCB set-up, this little fella still has red and white blood running through him and remains proud of his long spell on Wearside.
Those of us who have watched the former Olympic boxer will know that a result like this is no shock.
His last five bouts have all been championship affairs, he can fight, he can box, has tons of heart and has a fair dig on him.
Thomas, who previously boxed out of Stockton before his switch to Wolverhampton, brought it all into play against the 27-year-old who began the night with a 9-0 record.
The former Phil Jeffries-managed boxer scored throughout, his left particularly effective as pictured above.
Congratulations Thomas.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Dave Thompson/ Matchroom
