2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist and two-time African Games silver medallist Efetobor Apochi talks about his boxing career, his admiration of Mike Tyson, fighting in Scotland and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO
Can you share your journey into professional boxing and what inspired you to pursue a career in the sport?
I was born in Ughelli, Delta State, and my father, Isaac Apochi, an engineer, was a devoted boxing enthusiast, particularly of Mike Tyson, so I grew up watching boxing, thanks to my late father’s passion. I was also a ‘Mr. Tough Guy’ in my primary and secondary school, always fighting and getting in trouble. I eventually pursued higher education at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, studying Industrial Microbiology. University life in Nigeria was challenging, with uncertainties about the future looming large and then, one day, a spark of inspiration ignited within me, ‘Why not try boxing and follow in the footsteps of Mike Tyson?’ And so, I ventured to the stadium one day, where I met my grassroots coach Mark Okoro, and the rest is history.
How do you prepare mentally and physically for a fight?
How I get ready for a fight is consistency in training, maintaining a positive mindset, eat right, and ensure adequate sleep.
Which boxer would you say influenced your style or approach to the sport?
Tyson. I am inspired by his story, where he came from and how he grew up. I am the same hight 5.11ft as Mike and we also have some similar styles of fighting and move alike.
What do you consider your greatest strength as a boxer?
My mind. I think the mind is everything. A man is as he thinks, so, I always think the way I want to be, which is always winning and that’s my greatest strength.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your boxing career, and how have you overcome them?
It was when I suffered two straight losses, even though I will say that I wasn’t truly beaten as it was all politics. Then when I had a major shoulder surgery, that was a very challenging period for me but I overcame them with my mind, my ways of thinking, like I said earlier.
How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with being a professional boxer?
I just breathe and focus on what I can control, that is the best any athlete can do, regardless of the sport. Just do your best and breathe.
What advice would you give to aspiring boxers who are looking to make it in the professional ranks?
Always stay focused and true to yourself, and think about only what you want, not what you don’t want. There is no point in dwelling on the negatives, so, just focus on the things you want. You also have to train smart, not too hard.
What are your goals and aspirations as a boxer?
I still have aspirations to be a world champion and fight that mega money fight, the type of fights that would make me huge bucks. In the long term, I would like to have my own management and promotion company and use my energy to inspire the next generation.
What has been the most memorable moment of your boxing career so far?
The most memorable moments are winning three medals for Nigeria in three different championships. Two silver medals at the African Games and one at the Commonwealth Games. It was also very memorable to captain the national team for four years.
How important was it for you to represent Nigeria on the international stage, and what does it mean to you?
It felt very good to be a honourable member of the federation and it felt good to be celebrated by the national team. It’s part of my history and every time I’m representing the country, it means so much to me.
You won a bronze medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, how was the experience in Scotland like?
I don’t think I won a bronze medal, rather I will say I received the bronze, because I lost the semi-final then. You can only win a gold medal, not bronze, but it was a great experience and quite challenging. At that stage, I felt the whole pressure, sometimes focusing on the wrong things, not knowing better like I do now but it was all great and an eye-opening experience for me. I love it.
What impact do you hope to have on boxing globally?
I would love to make my own history that will never be forgotten by winning a major professional title. I also want to make money, so, I want to cash out as much as I can, so, I will be able to give life to the mentally dead and also inspire the next generation.
Have you ever felt like quitting boxing?
Yes, I have. After my shoulder surgery, I felt like I was going to quit, it was a very tough time for me and it was the first time I ever considered leaving boxing. It was a bit hard for my mind to comprehend my wholeness and make a comeback to professional boxing but my wife, Dr. Nino Apochi, kept reminding me of who I told her I was, and that is ‘The Champ’!
What do you enjoy most about being a pro boxer, and what keeps you motivated to continue competing?
There is a lot I love about boxing. I have always loved boxing since I was a kid in school, so, it has been a part of me. I love the health benefits, of course, it helps to be in the best shape ever with the physical fitness involved with staying active in the sport. There is also the entertainment side of it and since I was younger, I have always loved to entertain. So, I think that is why boxing fits me and I love it so much.
How did you deal with the losses in your career and what do you learn from them?
In reality, I believe I have never truly lost a fight, so, I don’t know what it feels like to be beaten. However, if we are talking about the setbacks in the business I do, all I can do is what Bob Marley said, ‘Don’t worry about a thing because every little thing is going to be alright.’ That’s how I move forward and keep pushing myself to continue fighting.
What are the options you are considering after retirement?
I think about that a lot, and you know I am an Igbo man, which means we have to get involved in business, just anything that will bring money. So, my plans are to have multiple businesses outside of boxing. I am also going to invest in boxing management and promotions because I love boxing and I will never leave it entirely.
Have you ever experienced racism in your career?
Racism from whiteman, no. But in this country (Nigeria), I believe that is where I experienced the biggest form of oppression. How can you be born in a place where you have crude oil, gold, diamonds, uranium and many other natural mineral resources, yet your whole nation and people are not thriving, is that not juju? Just suffering for no reason, that is the oppression I experience.
Do you avoid sex before fights?
Yes of course, I do . There is no sex in training camp for a boxer, there is nothing like that. You can’t be having intimate affairs when you are preparing for a fight, there is no romantic pleasure in discipline. Before my last fight in February, I stayed away for two months before the fight. When I stepped back into the ring, I felt like a monster and that was what helped me to win by a KO.
Lastly, what message would you like to share with your fans?
The words we speak in our everyday conversations are the things that control the universe. We have the power just like the God of the universe, everything must come from words and nothing can stand against it. We are also blessed and punished by these words, so, I will like to tell everyone to think and speak positively, then praise more and criticise less.
