Joe Maphosa is ready to grasp his chance of bringing boxing glory to Teesside.
The gifted Thornaby fighter is to challenge for the English Flyweight championship against Conner Kelsall in the holder’s backyard of Doncaster on Saturday, March 18.
It is a wonderful opportunity for the 28-year-old, who is trained by Imran Naeem at the Natural Progression Boxing Academy in Stockton.
Kelsall has made a bright start to his professional career with eight straight wins, the most recent being a unanimous points verdict against Benn Norman in December when he got his hands on the vacant belt.
But the 23-year-old has never had to face a boxer of the class of “Smokin’ Joe” yet, a factor not lost on Maphosa.
“I’ve watched a couple of videos and he’s a decent opponent with good skills,” Joe told punch-lines.
“Conner is a back-foot boxer who likes it at long range, popping out his jab and using his feet.
“But I’ve got lots more experience, more wins and I’ve been in with better opponents than him.
“He boxed well against Benn Norman, a decent fighter himself, but he’s not up in the top tier.
“The experience and rounds are on my side. I’ll take all that into this fight.
“I’m going to grab that title with both hands.”
It will be his second crack at the English title, having lost to Craig Derbyshire on a split decision at super-flyweight at Houghton in September 2021.
To Joe’s credit, he has come back superbly with four wins, outpointing Africa’s Adam Yahaya at the same Rainton venue before giving France’s Santiago san Eusebio some uncomfortable moments in Newcastle, ahead of routine points successes against Stephen Jackson and Nabil Ahmed.
Those last two victories have been too easy, way too easy, and the better the opponent the better Maphosa will be.
“I’ve done my apprenticeship and this is my level – the English championship and beyond,” said the Phil Jeffries-managed boxer.
“Once I’ve fought for this and become the English champ I’m going to move on to the British championship and upwards.”
While Middlesbrough-trained Troy Williamson was a very recent – and very good – British champion, you have to go back to 2009 when Paul Truscott was the last national or international title holder with a TS postcode, the Boro star reigning as Commonwealth featherweight king.
“Trussy was the last champion from Teesside and I’m aiming to be the next,” said Maphosa, who could well have a big crowd heading down the A19/A1 on the night of March 18.
“I’ve had really good support from the moment the fight was announced, I’ve had loads of people asking ‘where can I get my tickets?’.
“It’s great to have the people of Teesside’s support.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
