Get to know unbeaten lightweight Kofi Donker
Unbeaten South Londoner Kofi 'Poison' Donker is interrogated by British Boxing News.
Name: Kofi Donker
Record: (1-0)
Weight: Lightweight
Born: Plumstead, London
Residence: West Norwood, Londom
DOB: 20/03/1989
Debut: 15/09/2018
Nickname? “Poison.”
Favourite all-time boxer? “Gerald McClellan and James Toney. British favourites are Ryan Rhodes and Ricky Hatton.”
Favourite current boxer? “It’s a tie between Jorge Linares, Errol Spence Jr and Badou Jack!”
Favourite fight? “David Haye vs Jean Marc Mormeck; Arturo Gatti vs Mickey Ward I; James Toney vs Michael Nunn.”
Boxing clubs? “Peacock Gym and Rooney's.”
Amateur honours? “I didn't acheive what I really should have but I beat some good boys. I was a national finalist of the Novices Under-20’s, but I didn’t box because I had to pull out because I was ill, and I had already beat my opponent on a club show previously. I boxed for London twice and competed abroad on three occasions.”
Biggest achievement in boxing? “Winning my professional debut against Ivan Godor, but the best is yet to come.”
Toughest ever opponent? “I’d say Ivan Godor on my pro debut, although he wasn't the hardest I've faced, but he was just the hardest to nail clean, so it was a good learning experience for me.”
Goals in boxing? “British title is my minimum requirement.”
Retirement age? “I don’t think I want to box past 36. I’m 29 now so I want to give it a good five or six years of hitting it hard and see what happens”
Team? “My trainer is Archie Dublin and manager is Steve Goodwin.”
Boxing style? “A box-fighter.”
Ring walk song? “Noreaga – Superthug. I had it on my debut, it's not my favourite song but it gets everyone going and got a good response from the crowd.”
Pre-fight rituals? “About a week before I box, I like to do the same route for the last couple of runs.”
Favourite brand of gloves? “Cleto Reyes.”
Best venue? “My debut was at York Hall and I boxed a few times there as an amateur. I boxed on a show in Chingford once, in the amateurs, in a police headquarters grounds in Chingford and they put up a huge marquee and it was really nice and lavish; funnily enough, I ended up being part of the Ireland squad and boxed someone from Wales because some bouts dropped out and I actually stopped him!
I once boxed in Thailand in a big stadium, which was really nice and a different experience for me, because people came up to me after my fight and gave me money!
I love East Ham Working Man’s Club for atmosphere; if you want to watch amateur boxing at its best, then just go there.”
Favourite belt? “WBC.”
Favourite football team? “Not a football fan at all.”
Other sports? “MMA.”
Favourite sportsman? “Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson [retired UFC light-heavyweight champion].”
Hobbies: “Martial Arts.”
Last TV programme you watched? “Last thing I watched on TV was Terence Crawford vs Jose Beneavidez Jr.”
Last film you watched? “Braveheart.”
Favourite music? “Hip-hop.”
Favourite food? “Love Oreo or Cookies and Cream milkshakes.”
Favourite superhero? “Ain’t got one! Maybe Rambo or something like that.”
Phobias? “Haven’t got any phobias, although they say that the only two fears we’re born with are death and heights, and all the rest are self-inflicted.”
Motto? “Study your sport.”
Next fight? “Looking at February 2019 now.”
What fight do you want to see happen this year? “Always wanted to see Ricky Hatton vs Jumior Witter when I was younger, but now it would be Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua.”
What is the best division in boxing to watch? “Welterweights because they’ve got nice power but fast and skilful as well. Always the toughest, most competitive division.”
If you could fight anyone, past or present, who would it be? “Erik Morales.”
What would you most like to be remembered for? “For being a craftsman, for having skill and being involved in exciting fights, basically I want to be remembered for my technical ability and skill.”
If you weren’t a professional boxer, what would you be? “An MMA fighter.”
Insta? @poisonkofi
Kofi would like to thank his sponsors: Thomas Welch & Sons and PR Manager Tim Rickson