Joe Maphosa’s drive towards the top of the flyweight division will be as easy as ABC.
But it’s not the old ABC saying you will have heard of – the ABC this time is Active Body Conditioning.
The unbeaten Thornaby pocket dynamo, who trains under Imran Naeem in Stockton’s natural Progression Boxing Academy, has changed his conditioning coach to Andrew Burton.
And ahead of his first eight-round bout, against Lithuania’s former international flyweight champion, Marius Vysniauskas, ‘Smokin Joe’ told punch-lines just how good he is feeling.
“The camp has gone well, I just can’t wait to box now,” said rthe 25-year-old.
“I’ve changed my strength and conditioning coach to Andrew Burton from ABC.
“It’s gone really good and it’s really got me firing.
“I feel so fit and strong and you can tell the difference in the gym.
“It’s allowed us to tweak a few things in training and I’m feeling the benefit from it.
“Me and Imran are pleased with how the camp has gone and we’re looking forward to being back in the ring against Vysniauskas.”
The opponent left the amateur game earlier this year off the back of an international tournament triumph in his native Lithuania.
“He’s not coming all the way over here to lay down,” said the former Tees Active Sports Academy graduate.
“If there is a chance to take him out I’ll look to take it, but I’ve got to box him, I have to be sharp.
“This is a good fight for me, good experience for the title fights which will hopefully be coming next year.”
Maphosa v Vysniauskas is the main support for the headline showdown for the vacant Northern Area welterweight championship between Ellis Corrie, from Darlington, and Redcar’s Peterlee-trained Tom Hill.
Elsewhere, Alex Farrell (2-0), April Hunter (1-0), Jeff Nesham (1-0), Anth Ornsby (1-0), Mark Taylor (2-0) and Michael Webster (2-0) are also in action while Geordie heavyweight Rob Ismay is out to make it nine wins in succession, but six years after his last victory!
Tickets are available on the door at Rainton Meadows Arena with boxing scheduled to start at 7pm.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Stockton & Billingham Life
