Biofile with Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko

Status: Former IBF Bantamweight champion. Will box Abner Mares on April 23 in the Bantamweight Tournament final.

Ht: 5-6  Wt: 118

DOB: March 22, 1980  In: Accra, Ghana

Boxing Inspirations:  “Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali.”

Hobbies/Interests:  “Music, music, music, listen to hip-hop, R&B music and watch music videos. If I wasn’t a boxer, I’d be a musician [smiles].”

Nickname:  “King Kong is my real name, my nickname is Fresh King.”

Favorite Movies:   “King Kong movies, the old and the new. And African movies as well.”

Last Book Read:  “Muhammad Ali’s book.”

First Job:  “Just boxing.”

Current Car:  “Toyota Matrix.”

Early Boxing Memory:  “When I was juvenile boxer around the age of 12-13, I fought one guy in Ghana and it was a tough fight for me but I won.”

Pre-fight Feeling:  “It seems from when I started boxing up till now, any time I’m going inside the ring, I’m always thinking positive. Because I know I’m the best boxer and I know I’m gonna win. I don’t feel anything bad, I feel positive.”

Favorite Meal:  “Is rice and then kenkay, that’s African food.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:  “I don’t eat ice cream.”

Pre-fight Meal:  “I just eat mashed kenkay and then some apple.”

Greatest Sports Moment:  “After I won the world title (TKO 7 Luis Perez in 2007).”

Most Painful Moment:  “I fought one guy in South Africa Johannes Maisa. I defended my IBF and the African title way back in 2001. And that was my very, very toughest fight. And I always remember that fight.”

Worst Injury:  “No, I’ve never had any bad injury.”

Favorite Boxers To Watch:  “Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Sergio Martinez, Zab Judah.”

Inspiration:  “To be #1. I want to be the best in the world. I always want to work hard and then get to the top with Pacquiao and others. I want to get to the top, so that’s my inspiration.”

Toughest Part Of Boxing:  “I used to work with one manager in England. We had a – he stopped me and my career wasn’t moving. So I was out of the ring for like two and a half years (2004-2007). And that was my toughest time in boxing.”

Last Vacation:  “I went to Ghana. I live now in New York City.”

People Qualities Most Admired:  “I want people to like show their love and also not to pretend. And also I like people who always say the truth. Honest people.”

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