The Future Face of Boxing is Phenom Jojo Awinongya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Feb 2025
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (February 25, 2025) – USA Boxing light heavyweight Jojo Awinongya is a boxing unicorn.
“Jojo The Boxer” simply does it all, in and out of the ring.
At 17, Awinongya is a 24-time national amateur champion who will receive a college diploma this May. He’s also creating his own marketing agency as he prepares to star in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Born with blood flowing through his veins, Jojo is the son of a former professional fighter, Joseph Awinongya, who was a 12-9-5 (3) heavyweight from 1994 to 2005. His boxing trip started in his native Ghana, shifted to Italy in 1992 where he turned pro in Naples, eventually taking him to Rotterdam and Amsterdam (Netherlands), then to the same gym in Germany that the Klitschko brothers trained at before eventually settling in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was also deported from England to France at one point over working Visa issues.
“In 1999,” Awinongya explained, “I met a fighter in Boca Raton who was with Don King. I ended up signing with King and trained in Fort Pierce (FL) and at his camp in Ohio. A detached retina slowed me down, but I learned a lot sparring world champions like Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, John Ruiz and Fabrice Tiozzo.”
Joseph the father and now his son’s trainer made a deal with his five-year-old boy that he could box, but only if he got all A grades in school.
“I had ended up sparring in Chicago and Joliet,” Joseph continued. “It was fate because we moved here to Joliet. I used everything I had to send my son to college when he was 13. I never wanted him to fight. I knew he had the right stuff, and I saw him go through pain by teaching him how to make things easier. He started wrestling at two and boxing at five. He kept doing it and when he was 8, he was named the Boxer of the Night in his first amateur bout, because of all the pain and abuse he went through. I knew then that he was special.
“Most of the kids at that first tournament were just throwing their hands in the air all day long. They couldn’t touch Jojo, who started sparring with top pros when he was 12. Now, a lot of promoters have tried to sign him, but he’s not turning pro until after the Olympics. He’s already 6’ 4”, who is going to grow to be 6’ 7” or 6’ 8”. He will fight as a heavyweight.”
Jojo has a close relationship with his father, of course, but he also credits his mother, Valerie Ayertey, for the support he’s received, as well as the direction he’s taken on his unique journey.
“We’ve always been very close,” Jojo spoke about his father. “I grew up as part of a strong family unit. We’ve been through hardships but can make it past any obstacle. It’s not just me and my dad going in the ring, my mother is in my corner, too. I’m so grateful for them and it’s another factor in my winning so much.”
Jojo started college at the age of 13 at Joliet Junior College, where he earned an associate’s degree in arts and sciences. He is scheduled to graduate this spring from St. Francis University majoring in marketing, before going for his master’s degree.
“The reason I started college so early was my parents told me you never know what can happen in boxing and life and that someday I wouldn’t be able to box,” Jojo remarked. “They wanted me to also distinguish myself outside of boxing. I go to school to support people from the next generation who are following my goals. I’m going to start a small marketing company between now and the Olympics. My main goal is to win an Olympic gold medal and, eventually, I want to be the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.”
Even though he’s a college student who vigorously trains as an ultra-talented boxing prospect, Jojo somehow also finds time to work parttime at Darcy Motor in Joliet.
“The end goal has always been to learn how to be a world champion,” Jojo noted. “My parents told me to work hard and take any opportunity to reach my goals in boxing and school. Balancing the things I do to focus in the gym or school is all about time management.
“I’ll be competing in the Elite division in December. I want my kids to know their father is an Olympic gold medalist. Not many can say that. I’m striving every day for that gold medal.”
Last year, Jojo captured a gold medal at prestigious U-19 World Championships, ranked No. 1 in the world, and he has embraced his journey to the 2028 Olympics.
“I am excited to see Joseph Awinongya turn Elite in the coming months,” USA Boxing Head Coach Billy Walsh commented. “Joseph will be a prospect for the 2028 LA Summer Games.”
Jojo Awinongya, who trains in Joliet at Chicago Sports and Fitness and the famed Sam Colonna Boxing Gym in Chicago, is a legitimate boxing prodigy. He realizes his future is in the heavyweight division and welcomes the challenges that certainly are coming on his ride to glory.
“I’m 6’ 4” and I don’t know how tall I’ll be,” Awinongya concluded. “But my body is growing every day. I’d love to be 6’ 6” and I grew 10-pounds since my last training camp. I’m making my life better!”
THE PRESENT & THE FUTURE: (L-R) Saul “Canelo” Alvarez & Jojo Awinongya
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