Ghana mystery man to make Brum debut

Chris King…science teacher aiming to make his mark in ring

GHANA is a West African country with a rich fighting heritage, the list of world champs including Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and David Poison Kotei.

Those greats inspired Chris King to leave capital Accra three years ago and travel to Birmingham in search of ring fame.

It was certainly a leap of faith. The 28-year-old has made the professional plunge after only three amateur bouts.

Fighting out of McCracken’s gym, he’s a surprise package. We’ll know more about the Small Heath based super-middle on Saturday, August 24, when he makes his pro debut at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport.

Chris is not claiming to be Ghana’s next big thing in the ring. “Anything that happens is a bonus,” he said. “I’ll take it as far as God allows me to take it. I’m prepared to take risks and opportunities.”

The man certainly has an interesting cover story. He left a good life and his family in Accra’s Jamestown district to be a part of Birmingham’s boxing boom.

A year ago he met trainer Spencer McCracken Jnr in a Digbeth gym and a boxing partnership began.

He also studied here and is a qualified science teacher, although the classroom career is on hold. Boxing comes first.

“Fans at the Holiday Inn can expect a good show,” he said, “they can expect me not to hold back, they can expect me to show everything I’ve got. I’m excited.

“I’m just going out there to express myself and reveal the God given talents I’ve got. I see myself as a fighter who can box. I’m orthodox but switch from time to time. The power is definitely there.”

He may yet to create a fanbase over here, but Chris is confident he’ll have plenty of people cheering for him on August 24.

“Members of my family are flying over,” he said, “and everyone in the gym has my back.”