At the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos, Patrick Emeka has been keeping busy, dedicating himself to his passion for boxing.
Sports247 met with the Irish-born Nigerian. He gives us an insight as to his career choice, his inspiration, and the target he has for the intervening years.
Sports247: Why boxing?
Patrick: Boxing is a good sport. It’s a sport that can’t be played, it’s something that you do. It’s a tough sport that teaches discipline and helps the mindset. A great sport out there.
Sports247: Are you into boxing just for training or you’re taking it as a profession?
Patrick: As a profession. When I get back to the UK in the next two months I plan on going to compete and see how far I can get with boxing.
Sports247: There must be somebody who makes you feel like, ‘I must go into boxing’. Who’s that person?
Patrick: People like Anthony Joshua. I am 17, he started when he was 18. Deontay Wilder in America started at 18. He went to the Olympics in the first year and he is a pro now. Those are the people that motivate me to do what I do.
Sports247: Every individual has targets for himself. If you have to set a five years target, what are you telling yourself?
Patrick: Five years target! I think I would be pro and tell the world am representing the country I was born in, Ireland. So yeah, that’s what I think I would be doing in five years’ time. And I think I would have maybe gone to the Olympics or have some national championships to my name.
Sports247: In hindsight, you’re not representing Nigeria?
Patrick: No, not really (laughs).Am Irish.
Sports247: Thank you!
Patrick: Thank you very much!
