Joe Maphosa is back
And, for ‘something completely different’ to steal a famous line from Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
“Smokin’ Joe” will step back in the ring in Accra in Ghana on Sunday, November 24, when he faces former West African champion Isaac Quaye over six rounds.
It will be 16 months since his last bout which ended in a draw with Jack Dwyer in Houghton last July and, given all but two of his 16 professional appearances have been in the North-East an excursion to Africa is a little out of the ordinary.
“A promoter I knew previously asked me if I fancied going out to box on one of his shows in Ghana that is going out live on DAZN,” said the Thornaby star who is relieved and excited in equal measure after such a long absence.
“I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. It’ll give me and my team a lot of exposure.
“We are going to go there, get the win and get my career back on track.
“The last six months has been tough.all I’ve wanted to do was to get back in the ring, but I’ve had a couple of injuries and had stuff going on outside the ring.
“I’m just glad it’s all behind me now and I’m really looking forward to getting back to business.”
It is great to see a boxer of Joe’s calibre back in action. It has been a long time.
He was involved in a cracker last time out against Jack Dwyer with the thriller ending all square at the Rainton Arena.
The Liverpool camp were not pleased with referee Ron Kearney’s decision though it must be noted that Boxing News agreed with the Sunderland official, stating that the Imran Naeem-trained boxer won the rounds in which he stayed on his feet.
Your punch-lines writer rated it as one of Maphosa’s best nights – yes the bell might have saved him from an inevitable defeat but he showed real guts and plenty of fire.
He might require all that tenacity in Accra, where the 16-1-1 boxer is up against one of Ghana’s most respected fighting figures, who has won twice in the last few weeks and has home advantage in the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Maphosa will have age on his side. While Quaye is no Mike Tyson (who is fighting at the age of 58), he is also no spring chicken given he is closer to his 45 birthday as his 44 .
Some may remember Quaye losing on points to former Sunderland super-fly Thomas Essomba in 2015, one of 20 career defeats against 33 wins and a draw.
Maphosa has previously shared a ring with Isaac, for sparring, and does not place too much store on that.
He knows he will be coming up against a highly-motivated opponent, a two-time ex-Commonwealth title challenger, who is still winning in the twilight of his career, but the Natural Progression Boxing Academy fighter is motivated too.
“It’s my first time fighting in Africa, it’s something new to tick off the list,” Joe told BBC Tees Sport.
“It’ll be a good experience for me and my team.
“I know a little bit about Isaac, we sparred back in 2018, he was over in Hartlepool and I got a call saying ‘there’s a flyweight here if you fancy a a few rounds?’.
“We had a good, competitive spar, he’s a former African champion, very experienced titleist, I’m going to be in his backyard so I’m going to have to be on the ball.
“I have to go there and really take it to him.
“You can’t take too much from spars, you are wearing big gloves and it’s away from competition.
“It’s going to be challenging as a team but I’m sure we’ll get through it.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a good performance.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
