Chris Kongo has told talkSPORT that he hopes to continue to build on the community work he’s been doing following his latest victory.
The welterweight contender proved himself as one of Britain’s best by outclassing previously-unbeaten Florian Marku at the end of last month.
Kongo has losses on his record to Michael McKinson and Ekow Essuman, but looked a renewed fighter as he humbled Marku.
On Saurday night, he joined Gareth A Davies and former three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie on talkSPORT’s Fight Night show.
After speaking on his recent triumph and the current state of the welterweight division, the conversation delved into the man behind the success, reflecting on a defining point in his life.
A poignant topic was brought up by Davies – Kongo was stabbed at the age of 16.
“It’s in the past,” Kongo reflected, “Growing up in certain areas there’s always trouble.
“Not that I was looking for it, it was just a matter of wrong place at the wrong time.”
He acknowledged the gravity of the situation as he continued: “It could’ve ended my boxing career, it could’ve ended my life.
“But we thank God and there’s a higher power out there protecting me and I’m here.”
Davies alluded to the idea of Kongo speaking in local gyms and raising awareness on these issues by sharing his own experiences with the younger generation.
The presenter asked: “Do you talk to young people about maybe trying to avoid being in gangs? Going to the gym and not carrying knives.
“It only takes one incident and you might ruin someone else’s life, but you’re going to ruin your own as well.”
Kongo responded: “100 per cent, that’s the aim, doing a lot of community work, being in the community and talking about it”
McKenzie chimed in passionately: “The government should make it absolutely compulsory to bring schoolboy boxing back into schools.
“Because if they did it would cut down knife crime, and give kids the discipline and structure they need…
“It makes you self sufficient, strong mentally, keeps you out of gangs.
“Could you imagine if schools today had schoolboy boxing, what a role model you would be going in there and managing these young kids, showing them what they’re doing is wrong and showing them how successful they can be like yourself.”
Kongo responded optimistically: “Definitely it’d make a big difference and I’d love that to come back, let’s see.”
Davies urged the welterweight to get his name pledged to a campaign trying to get funding for grassroots boxing, as he pointed out that there is ‘zero funding in government strategy for those clubs’ at present.
Kongo expressed his willingness: “I would love to come and speak, definitely, to let them know what it’s done for myself, I would love for that to happen.”
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News Summary:
- I was stabbed at 16 but survived to become a top welterweight boxer and now do community work to prevent similar situations
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