Joseph Awinongya
Encyclopedia
Joseph Awinongya is a professional boxing
trainer and public speaker on sports who operates the Will County Boxing Gym in Joliet, Illinois
, and is best known as the trainer of IBO International Middleweight champion Osumanu Adama
. He was also a former professional cruiserweight boxer known as 'The African Assassin'.
, the Netherlands
, and in the United States
. Awinongya never fought in Ghana
. Awinongya's boxing career moved from Europe
to the United States
in 1999, and he was unbeaten in eight straight bouts before losing an eight round decision to Steve Cunningham
. While Awinongya was never world champion, Awinongya became an internationally respected boxing trainer. He remains “happy to be in America
” and has established a boxing gym for fighters from Ghana to come to the United States and train, where he feels they will not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous managers and promoters.
of the (Cosby Show), Terri Van Martin, Mel Jackson, Lisa Tucker, and Syesha Mercado
of (American Idol
). Joel Kapity, producer, director and co-screenwriter of 'Dreams' said, "one particular scene featuring Awinongya was so powerful, it moved everyone, including the camera crew, to tears."
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
trainer and public speaker on sports who operates the Will County Boxing Gym in Joliet, Illinois
Joliet, Illinois
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing...
, and is best known as the trainer of IBO International Middleweight champion Osumanu Adama
Osumanu Adama
Osumamu Adama is a professional middleweight boxer, and the current IBO international middleweight champion, first middleweight titleholder from Ghana.-Early life:...
. He was also a former professional cruiserweight boxer known as 'The African Assassin'.
Boxing Career
Awinongya was signed by Don King (boxing promoter) as a cruiserweight boxer after being seen while sparring in Europe. Awinongya compiled a professional record of 12-9-5 with 3 knockouts, in bouts held in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, and in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Awinongya never fought in Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. Awinongya's boxing career moved from Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1999, and he was unbeaten in eight straight bouts before losing an eight round decision to Steve Cunningham
Steve Cunningham
Steven Ormain Cunningham is an American professional boxer. Nicknamed USS Cunningham in reference to his 1994–1998 US Navy service on the aircraft carriers and .-Amateur career:...
. While Awinongya was never world champion, Awinongya became an internationally respected boxing trainer. He remains “happy to be in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
” and has established a boxing gym for fighters from Ghana to come to the United States and train, where he feels they will not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous managers and promoters.
Public Speaker
A well-known dynamic public speaker to young people, he presents hundreds of seminars and speeches annually on topics including sportsmanship, leadership, personal health and wellness, staying focused, inspiring students to stay in school, and staying away from drugs.Acting Career
Joseph Awinongya plays Paalo in the upcoming cable television movie 'Dreams' opposite Tommy Ford, Vicky Winans, Angie Stone, Dave Scott, Geoffrey OwensGeoffrey Owens
Geoffrey Owens is an American actor. He currently teaches an acting class at HB Studio in New York City.-Roles:...
of the (Cosby Show), Terri Van Martin, Mel Jackson, Lisa Tucker, and Syesha Mercado
Syesha Mercado
Syesha Raquel Mercado is an American singer, songwriter, actress and model. Mercado was the third place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, Mercado was on The One: Making a Music Star and she won Florida Super Singer...
of (American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
). Joel Kapity, producer, director and co-screenwriter of 'Dreams' said, "one particular scene featuring Awinongya was so powerful, it moved everyone, including the camera crew, to tears."
External links
- http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=40198&cat=boxer