Ready to take on the world.
That is the ambition of Phil Jeffries after announcing Joe Maphosa as his latest signing.
“Smokin ‘Joe” has made an impressive opening burst to his career, winning all 10 of his professional appearances, one inside the distance, while under the Warren umbrella.
Now, the 26-year-old will be managed by Jaffa while being part of the expanding MTK brand.
The Thornaby boxer is certainly looking the part, with his excellent victory over Marius Vysniauskas back in Houghton last December the pick of the bunch.
Maphosa, who clocked up the perfect 10 before lockdown with a polished points success over Moises Mojica on MTK’s show in Newcastle at the end of February, perhaps might have expected, or certainly hoped, to be a little further down the line by now.
But Jeffries has big hopes for the Stockton pocket dynamo.
“Joe has got so much talent,” he told punch-lines. “He has the ability to go a long, long way.
“I’m very excited to have signed Joe and as soon as Imran says he’s ready, I’ll get him a title fight.”
That Jaffa has added Maphosa to his Tyne, Wear and Tees empire is no great shock given Joe’s coach is Imran Naeem.
The Natural Progression Boxing Academy supremo is part of the fab four who guide the career of Lewis Ritson, Jaffa as manager, Neil Fannan as trainer, dad Davy Ritson and Imran, who you’ll see in the corner on fight nights.
Jaffa’s admiration and respect for Joe and Imran is such that Maphosa’s two most notable successes have come on his promotions against ex-English champ Louis Norman and Vysniauskas, a former international amateur gold medallist.
“Imran has done a brilliant job with Joe,” added Phil.
“Me and Imran will be guiding his career and Joe will also be part of MTK, who do an amazing job for their boxers.”
Jeffries has the knack of getting his boxers titles – look at the success enjoyed by Ritson, while Glenn Foot and Thomas Essomba have brought Commonwealth glory to Sunderland.
That success with Essomba shows Jaffa knows his onions at the lowest weights – the former Olympian won the belt in only his sixth paid fight so he won’t be afraid to get Maphosa motoring.
“I’ll be looking to get him on the Matchroom show in Newcastle in October,” added the Wearside fight figure..
“Then as soon as Imran says the word, we’ll look to get Joe moving.
“I’ll get him a title fight – 100 per cent.
“When I signed Lewis I told him I’d get him a championship shot and he won the British title in his fourth fight for me.
“Footy won the English and Commonwealth titles, Thomas was Commonwealth champion in only six fights and Kirk Goodings was English champion.
“I have a track record of getting lads the title fights and I’m looking forward to seeing Joe as a champion.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Stockton & Billingham Life
