Joe Maphosa’s pathway to the top has not exactly been a smooth one but the talent known as “Smokin’ Joe” refuses to see his dream extinguished.
Maphosa returns to the ring on Saturday, February 29, in Newcastle where he aims to clinch his 10th straight victory.
The unbeaten Thornaby flyweight takes on big-hitting Moises Mojica over six rounds on the MTK Promotion at the Eagles Community Arena.
Maphosa had been hoping to box THIS Saturday on the show at York Hall which is the taster ahead of Deontay Wilder-Tyson Fury 2 in the USA in the early hours of Sunday.
The 25-year-old told punch-lines he had been promised a shot at WBO European belt holder, Essex box Harvey Horn, only for another proposed bout to collapse following on from two let downs in 2019.
“It’s nice to be boxing in Newcastle at the end of the month,” he said. “But originally I was in training to fight at the York Hall this weekend.
“It was all 100 per cent agreed, a title fight live on TV with another unbeaten British fighter, a good fight.
“The purse was sorted, everything, and I was in training and then we get a call to say it would not be happening.
“It was a real kick in the teeth, and luckily there was a Plan B and [coach] Imran Naeem got on to Phil Jeffries and MTK. We are really grateful to get on such a good show.”
The beauty about the Stockton-trained boxer is that for all the set-backs he simply refuses to turn off his focus on becoming a flyweight or super-fly champion.
“Of course it’s disappointing,” said the Frank Warren boxer, pictured above with Imran Naeem. “But I always try to be a positive person.
“I look at it that everything happens for a reason and I’ll keep working hard and wait for my chance.
“Once I’m on the right track I’m confident I’ll be a champion.
“I’m hoping after this fight things will start to happen for me.”
His opponent in Newcastle is no dummy.
Part of Nicaragua’s Spanish-based army of fighters, he has won nine and drawn two of his 20 appearances.
Maphosa is part of a quintet of A66 boxers in action, starting on the west with Darlington duo Ellis Corrie, who make the maiden defence of his Northern Area title, and Troy Williamson, fellow unbeaten Teessider Michael Webster, and Redcar’s Tom Hill.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
