Cindy Ngamba, star of the refugee team, will turn professional at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Ngamba became the first ever refugee athlete to win an Olympic medal when he secured the middleweight bronze medal at Roland Garros.
He told Sky Sports that he will now turn pro.
“100 percent I will become a professional. I hope to make my debut soon,” he said. Sky Sports.
“My goal for many, many years has been to go to the Olympic Games and win a medal.
“Now that I’ve achieved my goal and my dream,” Ngamba continued, “the world is my oyster. It was just one part of my career, one chapter of my journey. I have other goals and objectives that will come soon.”
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Andy Scott and Gary Logan discuss whether Cindy Ngamba is ready to win a world title despite not turning pro yet
Ngamba could go further in games. Her semi-final loss to Panama’s Ateina Baylon, whom Ngamba had beaten earlier this year, was controversial. The fight went to the third round where Bailon, under pressure, was pinned for a point to take. However, the judges awarded the Panamanian a third round, which gave the result to Baylon.
“It hurt when I lost,” Ngamba said. “But I know that I won that fight.
“I’ve been in the ring with the best of the best and I’ve beaten them.”
She has also frequently shared the ring in training with professional world champions, regularly defeating the likes of Lauren Price, Natasha Jonas, Savannah Marshall and Chantel Cameron.
“They’ve all praised me and I’ve always praised them from the start. I see that very soon I will win the title of world champion,” said Ngamba. “Obviously I’ve got to come in and get some fights and get some experience no doubt.
“You really have to get a feel for what it’s all about, then hopefully you’ll get my shot at the world title and get in the ring with the best of the best and show what I’m capable of.”
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Cindy Ngamba describes her inspirational story as she represents the IOC Refugee Olympic Boxing Team
He explained. “Each boxer has his own style. I’m good with my feet. I nod well. I measure my distance well. I have great dynamic movement, I move at an angle and make my opponents miss and I make them pay.
“I can raise the level and lower the level when I need to, the pressure. I can box with my back foot, I can box with my front foot. I can switch positions, I can box southpaw and I can box orthodox.
“No matter what opponent I am in the ring with, I always manage to adapt,” he added. “Hopefully in the Olympics I was able to show a little bit of what I’m capable of and hopefully on the positive side people will still support me and follow me and see what I’m about.”
He will fight as a professional with a message, just as he did as an amateur, boxing for his hometown of Bolton, defending both Britain, where he has lived since childhood, and refugees around the world.
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Cindy Ngamba describes her pride at being selected for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team and discusses her experience of almost being deported from the UK.
“No matter where I am or where I go, I will always represent more than myself,” Ngamba said.
“I’m one of the millions out there. There are many, many millions out there who need support and help. I’m proud of myself and I’m sure they’re proud of me for what I’ve achieved.
“If you already know that what you’re representing is something big and amazing, something that can change, you know, some people’s perception of refugees around the world, then you feel at peace with that. :
“Because you know it’s a good and extraordinary thing.”
