Geoffrey Munika Interview: "I am not letting go of this belt"

For some fighters success comes a lot easier than for others. Everything they touch turns to gold, titles come and they become household names. These people however are the minority.

The world is full of boxers who work hard at their trade, winning some, losing some but never really reaching the heights they may well have wished for when they first laced on the gloves.

But suddenly things can turn around. After years of toil and pain, they can have that one night of success that they have dreamed about for years. The title may be small in comparison to a major world belt, but to them it is their defining night, everything they have dreamed about whilst they travel the circuit, usually in the opposition corner.

And now they have it, they are damned if they are going to give it away.

This story reflects perfectly the tale of Geoffrey Munika (21-16-2 12KO). The 37 year old Kenyan shot to prominence when he ripped the International Masters lightweight title away from former English champion Ryan Barrett in June, knocking him out with a left hook to the head in six rounds. It truly has been a long journey, stretching over 20 years, since a young Munika stepped into the ring for the first time. Though he admits he was never a ‘natural fighter’.

“I began boxing on December 5th 1990 at the Pumwani social hall in Nairobi. I asked the trainer if I could join to keep fit. I was scared to fight though. But my trainer watched me train and he said that if I continued I could become a world champion.”

Munika turned pro in 1997 (losing his first bout on points) and began an apprenticeship in his native land, winning a couple of minor titles. He then began to tour Europe, gaining a reputation as a hard as nails, come forward journeyman. He travelled as far and wide as Uzbekistan and Germany, putting in credible performances against the likes of Matt Zegan and Spend Abazi. In 2008 he came to Britain and fought a number of our top prospects such as Ashley Theophane and John Watson, and even holding future British Welterweight champion Lee Purdy to a draw.

Still, his life as a journeyman had been set, and with his advancing age, hopes of world glory seemed to be fading away. It was then as he got the call to face off against Ryan Barrett. And for Munika this was last chance saloon.

“I was 37 and for me, if I lost to Ryan Barrett that would be it, I was going to retire. Physically I didn’t have much hope but I’m a spiritual person and always prayed that I would leave this sport as a retired champion.”

With that heart and desire burning in his soul he got down to business. By the time he had finished his training camp he knew he had what it takes to become champion.

“I was training hard and praying to God. By the time fight night came I knew I was as fit as a fiddle and it would be hard for Ryan to beat me.”

The fight began and typically, things didn’t go that easy for Munika. He was dropped in the second round and Barrett looked to be on the way to retaining his title. The knockdown certainly had an impact on the challenger.

“Wow, I tried to move to my left but I was caught with a quick left hook. After that I was careful not to move to my left as I knew he was strong.”

It was then that Munika’s come forward, marauding style started to take over. With his career flashing before his eyes he would not be defeated. After a titanic struggle, a left hook to the head of Barrett sent him to the canvas for the full ten count. Geoffrey was now an International Masters champion. For Munika, it had been the culmination of his life’s work.

“Winning the belt was a dream come true. Being in boxing for 20 years it wouldn’t have been good to retire never becoming a champion.”

Geoffrey would go on to challenge world rated contender Farsai Sakkreein for his IBF Pan Pacific belt. Munika was stopped in the tenth round but put in a brilliant performance, showing heart and bravery all the way through. The night only increased his standing, his warrior credentials proven yet again.

Now the challenge is for Geoffrey to keep his belt. For his first defence he must once again travel when he faces off against Chester stylist Chris Goodwin (12-1-1)  in the challengers home town on October 15th. Goodwin has a good reputation but at this point in his career, he can only dream of facing the opponents Munika has already fought. Accordingly the prospect of this fight doesn’t worry Munika.

“I know he is young and has a good record, nothing else. And I am not worried about coming to Chester at all! I have travelled before, it doesn’t ever bother me”

He does however have a chilling warning for Goodwin. “This belt is mine forever. Goodwin will have to fight hard because I am not letting go. If he is a good boxer I will do something Mike Tyson did, I will bite his ear!”

Whether Munika would genuinely bite Goodwin’s ear off is open to debate. This could just be a declaration of war, a statement of intent, a message that he will not be out slicked, that he will do whatever it takes to rough up his opponent. Or it could be genuine, maybe saying that no matter what the result is, Goodwin will not be leaving on his feet. Either way Goodwin is due to face off against a man possessed, a man who will not be giving up his belt lightly and a man who is coming to Chester to hurt him.

You suspect that Chris Goodwin is going to be given one hell of an education on October 16th. If anyone in Chester ever thought that Munika was coming for a pay day at the end of a long career they were wrong. Geoffrey Munika is coming to town and he means business. He has come too far to just let this title go.