Olympian Essomba ready for ‘his moment’ as he targets first pro title

Thomas Essomba is ready to seize “his moment” as he prepares for his first title fight since moving to Sunderland.

Essomba will top the bill at the Colossal show next month as he takes on Ghanaian Isaac Quaye for the International Masters bronze belt over eight rounds.

Also on the bill for the show, which will take place at Rainton Meadows Arena on Sunday, March 8, are West Rainton’s Tommy and Martin Ward, Sunderland’s Isaac Macleod, Hetton’s Jordan King and Seaham’s Jordan Ellison.

Essomba, though, is attracting so attention; the 27-year-old competed at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008 and captained Cameroon’s boxing squad at London 2012.

After those Games, though, Essomba moved to the North East, and has won both of his fights since turning professional last year.

He trains under the wing of Sunderland boxing promoter and trainer Phil Jeffries and sees this title fight as the ideal opportunity to show everyone just what he is about.

Essomba said: “I’m really excited about it and confident, but it always depends on what happens on the day.

“I’ve been boxing for about 11 years now and I’ve learned a lot of things along the way, and it’s all about taking that into the fight".

“I see this as my moment. It’s my moment to show the people all of the things I have learned over the years."

“This moment is my moment, and I’m not scared of anyone".

“I want to fight the best boxers because I want to be the number one." “If I want to be number one, I first have to beat all of these opponents that are put against me now.” Essomba added: “I’m feeling very good, and I really want to win my first belt as a professional.

“I’m really happy to be fighting for a belt, as that’s always very important for a boxer.

“I need to be a champion, and I need that belt. “I’m ready to fight and I’m ready to win this belt, so this is great for me, and it will be my biggest fight so far.

“This is the type of fight I want, and I’m ready for it.” Essomba has won both of his professional fights so far, but is confident he will put in an improved performance next month.

He said: “This is my third fight, and I think the people will definitely know me more as a boxer after this show.

“My first two fights, I was still learning the pro style and getting used to not being an amateur any more. I understand now what it takes to be a pro and what I need to do.

“I will do something new in this fight, which is like the start of my career again, and I want to show people how much I have improved.”