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Ready or not, Here I come.Interview with Jaffa Ballogou

posted by Kathleen Holland on July 16, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
Boxing DIva

Jaffa " The African Assassin" Ballogou is a fighter on a mission. His mission is to make some serious noise in the light heavyweight division. He possesses the drive and determination to do so. Who, you might ask is Jaffa Ballogou? Jaffa is a heavy handed southpaw living in NYC boxing out of the Church Street Boxing gym via Togo, Africa. He is also a former WBC Super Middleweight International Champion and WBA title challenger. With a record of 45-6-0 ( 39 ko's) you have to wonder why we haven't heard his name within the boxing community. Well, I decided to find out the answer to that very simple question.
Speaking to Jaffa by phone was an extraordinary pleasure. He is well-spoken, enthusiastic and exhibits a genuine love for the sport of boxing. He is extremely focused with only one goal in mind which is to make his over due comeback ( through no fault of his own) into the elite ranks of the light heavyweights. He understands what he is up against and is prepared to rise to any challenge set in front of him. "I am ready. I will fight anyone. Bring them to me." said Jaffa with authority.
He knows he has the goods-his knockout record speaks for itself. So, once again we come to the question of why don't more opponents, promoters, fans and big wigs know about the "mystery" that is Jaffa?
Could it be that maybe they are intimidated by his raw power and choose to look the other way? That deduction is probably on the money and yet it is also a bit sad because in my opinion, Jaffa has the combined talent of an Ali and a Tyson just waiting to explode on the boxing stage but no one wants to take a risk and get in the ring with him.
Let's talk to Jaffa and see what he has to say about his past, present and future in boxing:

BD Hello Jaffa, nice to meet you.
Can you address the question of your not being active for 2 years?
JB People seem to be ducking me. I don't know why. I am still sparing and training. Keeping in shape.

BD Your record is very impressive especially the amount of KO's.
JB Thank You.

BD Are you a natural southpaw?
JB Yes. I was born left handed but when I was younger my trainer changed me to a right handed fighter. Later on in my training someone noticed I boxed better from the left and I went back to what felt comfortable.

BD Is it harder to get bouts because of being a southpaw?
JB I don't think so.

BD Do you train differently because you're a lefty?
JB No. I train regularly.

BD At what age did you realize your fists were loaded?
JB I wanted to box ever since I was very young.

BD Who were your inspirations in the sport of boxing?
JB ALi and Tyson. Especially Tyson, my friends told me I have to be like Tyson so I started to KO people.

BD How did you get your nickname?
JB I come from Africa and I'm mean in the ring but nice outside of it.

BD Are you training presently?
JB Yes. I train 5 days a week and I also help young boxers with their training.

BD How many times have your fights gone the distance?
JB Not to many I like to get it over quickly. If it goes the distance I usually don't get the decision.

BD Who would you like to fight in the light heavyweight division?
JB Anyone. I would also fight at cruiserweight.

BD Why boxing?
JB Because I love it. I really love it. If I didn't love it I wouldn't do it.

BD There's some controversy over your last fight. You believe it should have been a KO and instead it was a UD. What happened?
JB I dropped the guy 5 times and the final knockdown resulted in a ko but the ref improperly sent it to the cards.

BD So what is your strategy now?
JB I'm coming back. I will call them out. I'm ready for it. They can duck me all they want but I'm still here.

BD Let's get to know you a little better. What are your hobbies?
JB I like watching and going to the movies.

BD Your best punch?
JB Both hands. My right hook, Oh Lord Have Mercy.

BD Your boxing style?
JB Boxer/Brawler All styles.

BD What comes easiest to you in boxing?
JB Everything comes easy to me because I work hard in the gym.

BD Do you think boxing is violent?
JB No. It's a sport.

Bd How is your team doing?
JB Everything is going quite well.

BD You've been fighting a long time-why do you still want to fight?
JB Because I'm still full of competition, I have the desire and I want recognition.

BD Being 40, do you feel that is part of the problem you can't get fights?
JB As long a I have the skills my age doesn't matter. It's not a factor since I have never taken a beating.

BD What do you do to relax?
JB I'm going to school for sport's management but right now I have the summer off.

BD What do love about boxing?
JB Knocking out people.

BD What do you dislike about it?
JB The boxing business.

BD What makes you "special"?
JB I'm a good guy. I treat people like the want to be treated and I'm respectful.

BD What's the best part of your body?
JB See for yourself. I'm in good condition, my whole body.

BD What are you afraid of?
JB Nothing

Bd How about your favorite food?
JB Chicken. I love chicken.
BD So now I know to bribe you with chicken if ever I need too.
JB LOL

BD Favorite color?
JB Green and white

Bd Whose your hero?
JB Ali. I love him to death. Tyson.

BD What was your best fight?
JB My last fight. When I do my best performance the fight ends quickly.

BD What are you doing to help your team get you a fight offer?
JB Interviews and keep training so I'm ready to rumble.

BD Before we wrap this up- How can we keep boxing strong?
JB To have one organization not all these different ones.

BD In closing, what would you like to say?
JB I'm not done yet. Jaffa is coming back again. I love the game of boxing.There are still big, big, things I want to do. I will fight anyone: Light heavyweights, cruiserweights and if the money was right and with 2 months to gain weight I will fight at heavyweight. Any fighte that reads this I am calling you out. Call me anytime you want. I'm ready willing and able. They are running from me not the other way way around.

BD Thank you for the visit Jaffa. Good Luck ALways.
JB Thank you Judi.

Foot note: After this interview, I asked Matt Yanofsky(Jaffa's manager) for a few words on his boxer. Matt said, " He is a very dangerous fighter. People have avoided him. We have tried getting light heavyweights and cruiserweights for him to fight. Because he's a southpaw and has alot of knockouts and experience no-one wants to go in the ring with him. But we will continue to try and set up a fight for him in he near future."

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