Deion Jumah (left) and Colin Farricker in action during their light-heavyweight contest at the Copper Box Arena on January 30, 2016 in London. PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES
There is no keeping down Fulham prizefighter Deion Jumah after two painful years out of the ring.
The undefeated cruiserweight will make his eagerly-awaited return on Saturday night after conquering a serious heart illness, inactivity and injury problems in the early stages of his pro career.
The former Henry Compton pupil ended up working as a personal trainer to help make ends meet in nearby Ladbroke Grove. But the bad times are now over for the two-time ABA champion as he looks to extend his 8-0 record against Kristian Kirilov at York Hall in Bethnal Green, the home of British boxing.
Strangely enough, it will be only his second bout in the UK after cutting his teeth over in Germany and Denmark in the paid ranks when he signed with Team Sauerland in 2013.
The 28-year-old who is otherwise known as The Ghost recently signed a new three-year deal with Steve Goodwin.
“I’m back and more motivated than ever to get my career back on track,” said Jumah. “It’s great to be back in my home town fighting at the home of British boxing which will give all my local fans the chance to come and see me fight. I can’t wait for Saturday night.
“It’s been a tough few years for me but it has only made me stronger. Nothing can stop me now.”
From the age of nine, Jumah took up kickboxing at the renowned Fulham Kickboxing Club in Lillie Road and went on to be crowned the WKMA world champion on the professional kickboxing circuit after defeating Galore Bonafandi at York Hall.
He then switched codes and began boxing for Dale Youth boxing club where local fighters James DeGale, George Groves and the up-and-coming heavyweight contender Daniel Dubois all started out.
Chelli power
On Friday night, Zak Chelli, another undefeated local contender who dominated the amateur scene wearing the Dale Youth ABC vest will return to York Hall for his fourth pro bout.
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The Fulham super-middleweight made his professional debut at the home of British boxing in February 2017 and will look to extend his unbeaten record this weekend against Poland’s Przemyslaw Binienda.
Chelli, who just turned 20, is looking to emulate H&F’s own WBA super-middleweight world champion George Groves who recently made it to the final of the Muhammad Ali Trophy after defeating Chris Eubank Junior in comprehensive style.
Local boxing gyms
If you’re interested in trying your hand at boxing, here are a few local options:
- Hammersmith Boxing Academy at Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College in Gliddon Road run boxing sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7pm to 8.30pm and Saturdays at 11am to 1pm.
- Hurlingham Boxing Club in Peterborough Road have classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 8pm.
- State of the Mind Fitness in Galena Road has a host of boxing classes. Details are on their website.
