‘I LOVE CONGOLESE FOOD, A BIT OF STEAK, NIGERIAN-STYLE SPICY JOLLOF RICE, AND CURRY GOAT’
Paul Wheeler talks to ‘The Bermondsey Bourne’
When and why you started boxing:
I started at eight years old because my two brothers, Obed and Elvis, were boxing.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Sugar Ray Leonard. The skills, the speed, the footwork, the charisma – he had it all.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Erick Ochieng-dudley O’shaughnessy in the amateurs. They both threw big shots, and the atmosphere was amazing. Dudley won on points.
Personal career highlight:
Becoming a part of Team GB. When I was 16, I had my first trial and didn’t get in. Four years later, after a lot of hard work, I made it onto the team.
Toughest opponent:
Josh Kelly in the amateurs. He can box and he can fight. He was a very slippery customer!
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My coach [ Ted Bami] knows!
Training tip:
Graft. There will be days when you feel tired, but the results will come.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I love Congolese food, a bit of steak, Nigerian-style spicy Jollof rice, and curry goat.
Best friends in boxing:
My coach, who I can speak to about anything, and my management team, Whole 9. They help me with everything.
Other sportsman you would like to be:
Cristiano Ronaldo. I like football, and the money involved is ridiculous.
Last film/tv show you saw: [TV series] Breakout Kings. It’s a great watch. Who would play you in a film of your life:
Jason Bourne [played by Matt Damon]. He’s the man!
Have you ever been starstruck:
Never. I don’t know why.
Last time you cried:
I felt very emotional recently when a friend called Alex died. My last strong memory of him was when he bought a ticket to come to my pro debut. He said, ‘Make sure you knock this guy out. Go out there like [Mike] Tyson, fam.’ May his soul rest in peace.
Best advice received:
Work your arse off and you’ll be successful. Also, never forget where you came from, and those who helped you when you had nothing.
Worst rumour about yourself:
That I’d died in an altercation that happened by the O2 Arena [in Greenwich]. The victim had a similar name to mine. It wasn’t a nice rumour to hear.
Something not many people know about you:
I’m a huge supporter of Millwall FC. [Club Chairman] John Berylson and [manager] Neil Harris sort me out with some season tickets!
Age: 24 Twitter: @2Slickchris Nickname: ‘2Slick’ Height: 6ft Nationality: English From: Bermondsey Stance: Orthodox Record: 3-0 (2) Division: Welterweight Titles: n/a Next fight: Kongo meets Nathan Hardy over four rounds in Bethnal Green this Saturday (February 18).
‘JOSH KELLY WAS A VERY SLIPPERY CUSTOMER!’