Former South African amateur stand out John Paul Masamaba secures JBC license ahrad of pro debut
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Earlier today former amateur standout John Paul Masamba (0-0) successfully passed his pro-test , securing a JBC B-class license, ahead of his professional debut, expected to come later this year. The former South African amateur fighter, aged 24, is part of the TMK Gym, headed by Keiichiro Kanehira and will guided by the same outfit that promotes former world champion Tomoki Kameda (42-4, 23) [亀田 和毅], Kyonosuke Kameda (15-3-2, 9) [亀田 京之介] and Mexican veteran Kenbun Torres (15-5, 10)
Masamba, dubbed TMK's hidden gem, is a very well established former amateur who ran up a reported 98-14 amateur record, winning the African Championships, the South African Championships 4 times, and competing in a number of major international events.
Masamba began boxing as a teenager, he was later tortured, and suffered with depression and anxiety, but re-found himself with the help of the sport. He had hoped to compete at the Olympics, but a decision by the SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation denied him a chance to compete at a qualifying event and he then decided to turn professional. Notably he had been sparring with Tomoki Kameda last year, helping Kameda prepare for his rematch with Lerato Dlamini back in August, which whilst not undoing the heartache of missing out on a place the Olympics, would have helped him prepare to begin his professional career.
Although there was talk of Masamba beginning his professional career in Thailand, and there had also been links to gyms in Mexico, it now seems likely he will debut in Japan in the summer, with a May 24th date seeming quite likely. A date that is now pencilled in for the long awaited bout between Tomoki Kameda and IBF Featherweight champion Angelo Leo (25-1, 12).
Masamba, dubbed TMK's hidden gem, is a very well established former amateur who ran up a reported 98-14 amateur record, winning the African Championships, the South African Championships 4 times, and competing in a number of major international events.
Masamba began boxing as a teenager, he was later tortured, and suffered with depression and anxiety, but re-found himself with the help of the sport. He had hoped to compete at the Olympics, but a decision by the SA National Amateur Boxing Organisation denied him a chance to compete at a qualifying event and he then decided to turn professional. Notably he had been sparring with Tomoki Kameda last year, helping Kameda prepare for his rematch with Lerato Dlamini back in August, which whilst not undoing the heartache of missing out on a place the Olympics, would have helped him prepare to begin his professional career.
Although there was talk of Masamba beginning his professional career in Thailand, and there had also been links to gyms in Mexico, it now seems likely he will debut in Japan in the summer, with a May 24th date seeming quite likely. A date that is now pencilled in for the long awaited bout between Tomoki Kameda and IBF Featherweight champion Angelo Leo (25-1, 12).