By Ben Jacobs
Tyrone Spong will be back in the ring on April 1 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida just a few weeks after his last fight. The former kickboxing world champion is training in Miami with esteemed Cuban coach Pedro Díaz and told BoxingScene.com of his plans to launch an assault in the world of boxing.
“I’m happy with the outcome of my last fight, it was my third professional fight, all wins by knockout so I’m very pleased.”
Spong stopped previously undefeated David Gogishvili in two rounds on the undercard of the Lucas Browne vs Ruslan Chagaev heavyweight title bout which took place on March 5.
“I’m looking to progress quick,” he added.
“I’m a ten-time world champion in kickboxing in six different weight classes. I need to be active and I’m ready to go as soon as my team tells me. I’m based in Miami, Florida and this is where my family is. Even my Spanish is getting better here training alongside Guillermo Rigondeaux and Yunieski González!
“I am very lucky and blessed to be training with Pedro, he is one of the best.”
There are precedents for the transition from kickboxing to boxing. In recent years Vitali Klitschko, Chris Algieri and Dillian Whyte are three big names who made the successful changeover.
“I know Dillian, he trained in Amsterdam where I lived before. I was born in Suriname but lived in the Netherlands for twenty years where I started my kickboxing and MMA career. I know Dillian from those days and I’m proud to see him doing well. He put up a great show even though he lost his last fight.”