Jeff Ofori interview

By Boxing News - 09/28/2018 - Comments

By Oliver McManus: October 13th sees two genuinely humble gentleman going toe-to-toe for the Southern Area lightweight championship – Jeff Ofori, challenger, will be taking on Jumanne Camero who claimed the belt in July of last year at Tottenham Green Pools & Fitness Centre.

Camero himself has had a fair few setbacks this year with various fights falling through but for Ofori it is a chance to prove himself at a level he believes he’s at; when I spoke to Jeff back in April the first thing he said to me was “I want the Southern Area by the end of the year” and despite initially targeting that at super-feather, he believes it is his time for success.

Less than three weeks until your fight with Jumanne Camero, how are you feeling, how is training?

“I’m feeling great and ready to rumble – the motivation to train is no problem as the amount of support and love I receive keeps me focused. After work, sometimes, my body does feel rough but I remember what the great Muhammad Ali once said ‘don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion’.”

A lot of people have you down as the underdog, does that bother you?

“I’ve been the underdog before and I’m still standing. It’s no deterrent in my world.”

What do you make of Jumanne as a fighter?

Well I haven’t seen much footage of him and most are quite old. From what I have seen he is tall and likes to make good use of the jab.

What sort of a game plan do you have in place for the 13th?

The game plan is to get the win by any means necessary. Brawl, box, counter-punch, slug. We are ready for whatever.

Are you getting used to people recognizing you in the street?

Yeah, I am, I went to the AJ fight last weekend and a woman recognized me and she couldn’t help burst out ‘I know you ‘. Can’t lie it did feel good – I couldn’t help but give a royal smile.

Give us a prediction for the fight…

Well I was raised in Tottenham so October 13th I will be Made in Tottenham – this train can’t be stopped. I will win. The new southern area champion. #KINGTEAM THE WORLD’S OURS.

Do you think the amateur experience has helped make the adjustment to professional boxing a lot easier?

Yeah for sure. On the amateur scene especially in tournaments you could fight 3 times in 3 days. So mentally and physically you had to be prepared. You could walk into the gym Monday and be told you have a bout on Thursday, you had to stay ready. It was serious business. So early on in boxing I learned like one of my amateur trainer’s Jerry would always say ‘you don’t play boxing’.

You’re working closely with Mo Prior and British Warriors, how important is it to know you’re going to get regular fight dates?

To be honest Mo Prior and British Warriors I have to give a big shout out to. 6 pro fights in my first year thanks to them. I’m a relentless soul so the busier I am the better it is for me. Would also like to give a big shout out to Bevis Allen my coach who believes and gives me the training is need to be perform at this level.

How did that relationship with Mo come about, then?

After 36 amateur bouts with Islington boxing club, 2 years as club captain I had lost the passion plus working night shift then having to travel to far locations to box was taking its toll on me. I had decided to call it a day when my work colleagues suggested I should give the pro ranks a go as my job will always be there but boxing won’t. They introduced me to Mo who also worked nearby and the rest is history.

Jeff Ofori will challenge for the Southern Area Lightweight title on October 13th, when he takes on Jumanne Camero and tickets can be purchased from myfighttickets.com.