Banned South Yorkshire boxer back in the ring

Serge Ambomo, the controversial Cameroonian boxer who seriously injured Sheffield rival Jerome Wilson - will be back in the ring for the first time since that tragic fight back in September 2014.
Picture from the boxing match of Jerome Wilson v Serge Ambomo which hospitalised Wilson on 12/09/14.Picture from the boxing match of Jerome Wilson v Serge Ambomo which hospitalised Wilson on 12/09/14.
Picture from the boxing match of Jerome Wilson v Serge Ambomo which hospitalised Wilson on 12/09/14.

Ambomo’s showboating ring antics at the time of the KO were condemned by all sides - although he did not know how badly hurt Wilson was.

The Sheffielder was later stretchered from the ring, suffered a bleed on the brain and was in a coma for 10 days. Surgeons had to remove 25% of his skull to help him survive the trauma. Wilson has had a slow, painful recovery, and later chronicled his story in a book: ‘Wiped Out? The Jerome Wilson Story.’

Ambomo, while not injured, paid his own price.

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He was hit by a £3,000 fine for his conduct after the injury, in which he appeared to kiss the side of Wilson’s head as he lay prostate on the canvas.

The boxing authorities came down on him doubly hard as twice missed appointments to defend himself in front of them.

The African couldn’t pay so was effectively suspended. He’s been living on the breadline in the Rotherham area since.

Serge Ambomo before a bout with Matt SeawrightSerge Ambomo before a bout with Matt Seawright
Serge Ambomo before a bout with Matt Seawright

However boxing promoter/manager Neil Marsh and a new trainer in Stefy Bull stepped in to help rescue his dream to be a professional fighter.

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And the 30-year-old former Olympian will fight on a Bull bill at Doncaster Dome.

“I strongly believe everybody needs a second chance” said Bull. “Neil, a well-respected man in boxing, negotiated with the British Boxing Board of Control and Serge will have to pay 50% of his purse to them until he has paid off the full amount.

“Neil and I have put our hands in our pockets to help him in his first fight, on September 3.

Pictured at the Royal Hallamshire hospital, injured boxer Jerome Wilson, who made an amazing recovery after his family were told to prepare for the worst.Pictured at the Royal Hallamshire hospital, injured boxer Jerome Wilson, who made an amazing recovery after his family were told to prepare for the worst.
Pictured at the Royal Hallamshire hospital, injured boxer Jerome Wilson, who made an amazing recovery after his family were told to prepare for the worst.

“What he did two years ago (showboating) is the type of silly thing you see in rings all over the country every week. He had no idea Jerome was so injured and I’m sure wouldn’t have done it if he had have known.

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“He has trained every day since then and came to us five or six weeks ago in good shape.

“He is settled now with a Mrs, a baby on the way and just wants an opportunity to make his way in boxing.”

The welterweight has a come forward super-aggressive style - something Bull won’t be tinkering with greatly.

Serge Ambomo before a bout with Matt SeawrightSerge Ambomo before a bout with Matt Seawright
Serge Ambomo before a bout with Matt Seawright

“What can you do with a 5ft 3ins bloke of his overall size? I am trying to instil some boxing into him but his strengths are in his existing attributes.”

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As Ambomo isn’t exactly well-supported by local fans, it is likely most of his future matches will be on the road.

The fighter, who used to train at Glyn Rhodes’ Hillsborough gym, absconded from the London Olympics village in 2012.

he had four professional fights under Rhodes, winning them all, including two against Wilson.