Joe Maphosa is not only ready to make his entrance into the championship arena, he is ready to start assembling a collection of titles.
Those who have been lucky to watch the Teessider for some time have always been confident he has what it takes.
But it surely that opinion has been confirmed by the second of two impressive appearances at the Rainton Meadows Arena in 2019.
Maphosa put on an incredible show at the Houghton venue where he outpointed Marius Vysniauskas 79-73 in his first eight-rounder.
“I’m ready to push on now for the big fights,” the Imran Naeem-trained talent told punch-lines. “I’m hoping a fight for a title in early 2020 will be finalised soon.
“I know flyweights tend to get pushed along a little quicker but my next bout will be my 10th and I feel ready for bigger and better things.
“I’m definitely happy with my performance and win in my first eight-rounder and I now know I can do the championship distances.
“My coach says I can go on for ever but now I’ve done that eight, I know I can do it and I’ve got the engine.”
He’s not only got the engine, he’s got everything, as he proved at the Phil Jeffries/ Steve Wraith-promoted event.
While the away corner housed the familiar figure of Oscar Milkitas, the man who operates a stable of Eastern European journeyman, don’t think that the Lithuanian he was coaching here was only in the North-East to earn a few Euros.
The 33-year-old came with ambition and aggression and that simply brought out the best in “Smokin’Joe” whose movement in the first was a joy to watch, combining it with some sharp single shots.
Punch-lines scored round two to Vysniauskas and we seemed to have a fight on our hands.
However, the Thornaby star put his stamp on the contest, his footwork and punch selection excellent including several upper cuts with both gloves in the third and fourth sessions.
Maphosa’s right did the scoring in the fifth and sixth as he stretched his points lead while he threw absolutely everything at the former international amateur champion in as thrilling a last round as you could witness.
Maximum marks must go to Vysniauskas for surviving the pounding he took.
“I really enjoyed the night,” added the Tees Active Academy graduate. “It was a good show, a lot of people turned out and I was pleased with how I boxed.
“That lad didn’t come to lie down, I could see at the weigh-in he was really up for it and wanted to win.
“I’d like to thank the people who turned out to support me and support all the boxers and I’m looking for big fights in 2020.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
