Goya Dmytryshchak
A Williamstown woman will draw on her fighting spirit when she makes her professional boxing debut this month.
Stephanie Mfongwot, 27, will be fighting in memory of her uncle Augustin Nganjupoua.
“My uncle passed away on Sunday [July 11] and this really brought me down a bit,” she said.
“But with the advice of my coach, I was able to take a day off just to clear my mind and get back to fighting, that training spirit.
“That same day I will be fighting is the same day they will bury my uncle.
“So, my first pro fight will be dedicated to him.”
Mfongwot and her family escaped violence in Cameroon to arrive in Australia in 2009.
She moved to Melbourne in 2012, the same year she won her first national title representing the Northern Territory.
She yearns to win a world title for Australia.
Mfongwot trains with Steve Stenborg at North Melbourne Boxing and Fitness, while her promoter is fellow Williamstown resident and world champion boxer Barry Michael.
Friday week, she will enter the ring with Canberra-based Muay Thai world champion Zoe Putorak.
“I am very excited that I will be stepping in the ring in under two weeks,” Mfongwot said.
“I’m pretty confident. I believe in myself and I really believe in my team.
“I can’t wait to really step up and display what I’ve been working on with my boxing coach, my conditioning coach and also my brother.
“Also, Barry’s been there.”
Stephanie Mfongwot vs Zoe Putorak is at The Melbourne Pavilion on July 30.
Tickets and details: 0413 643 444/teamellis.com.au or 0413 654 999/barrymichael1@optusnet.com.au
*Since publication of this story, the date has been changed to August 28.
