You don’t get too much from Chris Kongo…
There’s no elaborate statements or extreme claims of superiority. The smooth, gravelly tones of the unbeaten, British welterweight retain a sense of calm. He faces Luther Clay this Saturday, battling for the South African-born fighter’s WBO Global title, and featuring on the PPV undercard of Matchroom Boxing’s Whyte v Povetkin bill.
In truth, the man dubbed ‘2 Slick’ Kongo (11-0, 6KOs) has been ticking over longer than most. The former Team GB amateur wasn’t immediately backed by a powerhouse promoter, and now understands the importance of seizing his moment under the brightest lights down at Brentwood’s Fight Camp.
The waiting is almost over. It is what it is.
“I’m feeling good, man,” the South Londoner tells Boxing Social. “I’m well prepared for this, so it’s just about trying to showcase my skills now. It’s been frustrating, 100%, not having these opportunities sooner. It is what it is – we’re here now. We’ve just got to go for it.
“You never know when [you’ll get the push from promoters]. There have been a few of my opponents that have pulled out. Apart from that, nobody’s been really interested in fighting me. Now we’re here and once I win this title, then I’ll have something worth fighting for. People will risk it and actually fight me.”
The four years that have passed since Chris turned professional have been jarring. Kongo was previously scheduled to face Louis Greene for the Southern Area title – until Greene pulled out. It was just another bump in the road.
He’s travelled up and down from Bermondsey to Brixton (and other Boroughs of London), selling tickets and signing posters for strangers, never quite getting his dues. Constantly backed by fellow Brixton fighters Dillian Whyte, Isaac Chamberlain and John Harding Jr, he spoke of the importance of dogged success for the next generation training down at Miguel’s Gym, in SE24.
“It’s just great, man. It’s great news for Brixton and it’s a great feeling to be a part of it myself. I’m just excited for all of us; we’ll all get the win for sure and it’s just gonna be good times for the Borough. I’m living in Bermondsey, but I’m always in Brixton; I train there, I get food there, I’m always there and that’s always gonna be where I started my career.”
Speaking to Boxing Social about overcoming the odds, Kongo explained, “It’s very important. Coming from nothing, to being on a PPV card and winning, it’s been very hard. Going through the things I’ve been through, I think once I win, I can actually speak to the kids and the guys in the area. I can tell them: ‘Look, never give up on what you’re doing, because it will pay off’.
“Yeah, it’s taken a long time for me, but I’m sure it’s gonna pay off on Saturday night. I believe it’s my time now. I’ve gotta do it now. We take it one fight at a time and then we’ll see how it goes, you know?”
In his fight with Bracknell-based Clay – beaten only once himself – Chris faces a talented opponent equally hungry to shine for a premium-paying audience. Luther has been working his way up Siesta Boxing’s small hall shows for years, carving out his own opportunities, much like the undefeated challenger.
Both men know exactly what it means to slip under boxing’s radar.
Kongo complimented Clay through gritted teeth, “He’s a good come-forward fighter. I ain’t seen him on the back-foot boxing, so to be honest; he just looks like he’s got one way of doing things. He’s not the fastest on his feet, he’s not the fastest with his hands, but I’m just focusing on myself, man.
“We’ve been working on all areas of our boxing. Whether it’s leading first, working on the inside, and boxing on the back-foot – we do it all. I’m just focusing on myself. I know that if I do what I’m capable of, I’ll beat him I’ll beat him all day long. I know that already.
“I’m willing to fight anyone in this division now,” he continued. “You see Chris Jenkins has the British title – I’ll go up there and get that British title. Connor Benn is here, Josh Kelly is here, I want to fight them both. Yeah, there’s plenty of other good fights, but those are the main names and I’m trying to get fights with them. The main aim just now is Luther Clay though, and securing my position. That’s all I’m thinking about right now.”
Chris spoke to Boxing Social from inside Matchroom’s Coronavirus bubble, awaiting the results of his initial test after arriving at base camp. Both the fighter and his team are staying in adjacent rooms, focusing on the task at hand, with little else to occupy their time. The hours between arrivals on Tuesday and ring-walks on Saturday are dragging – but he’s never been so determined. This is it: carpe diem.
Four years of chasing opportunities and putting in the groundwork have led to this weekend. Chris Kongo, aged 27, still dreams of world titles. He explained simply, “That is the end game – I expect nothing less than a world title. That’s it. But I know it all starts this Saturday and we’re ready to go.”
“We’re all fighters at the end of the day and a ring is just a ring. In the gym sometimes it’s just my sparring partner and me; it doesn’t mean I perform differently; I just get to work – this is no different.”
It is what it is.