Picture this: It is the year 2022. Jason Mamoa stars in Hollywood’s newest boxing flick: From Suriname to America; Tyrone's Story.
OK, so I won’t be naming films anytime soon -- or creating artwork for the film industry -- but hear me out.
Father to four kids; a traveler of the world and a lifetime of determination and grit culminate in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) heavyweight championship. Oh, he also breeds dogs and counts feeding his chickens among activities he enjoys. You can’t make this stuff up.
Budget concerns? While my wife would be sad to see Mamoa go; cast Spong as himself. Former or one-time competitor at super heavyweight, heavyweight, light heavyweight, cruiserweight and middleweight classes; he has shown throughout his career that there is little he cannot do.
Need relevant cameos to increase credibility? Not an issue, counting MMA standout Rashad Evans among his circle; former coaches Ernesto Hoost and Floyd Mayweather Sr. – you wouldn’t have to beg the latter to be on the big screen – would bring instant authenticity to the film.
Now all that has to come true is the story itself.
Honorary Order of the Yellow Star recipient -- bestowed upon the best and brightest in his national home of Suriname – Spong has led a life much unlike many of the competitors that currently surround him in the WBO. Throwing his first professional punch in 2015, a number of months prior to his 30th birthday; he joked earlier this year of his love for competing in a phone interview with Boxing Monthly.
"My Mum says, 'If I won the €500m jackpot will you stop fighting? I tell her, no; I'd probably become a better fighter because I'd have no worries.” He continues in the interview, “I don't only do it for the money, I do it for the legacy and to put my birth country of Suriname on the map."
While a great many – specifically those in the public eye – claim to ‘fight the good fight’, so to speak, his actions mirror the man’s words. An eight-time champion -- his first at the age of 18 -- in kickboxing; Spong talks openly about foregoing private jets and suite accommodations for the literal surroundings of a 'stinking arena'.
In this same interview he points out that the politics within professional boxing are different than where he fought previously. Coming from a world where the promotion (ex. World Series of Fighting) that employs you handles your image, matchmaking and travel; he admits the politics of boxing have been difficult to traverse, and at times, frustrating. Continuing on to criticize the boxing community for skirting the trials of MMA star Conor McGregor in his infamous – if you can call it that – licensed bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Stating;
"If they can do it with Conor against Floyd, [Conor had] no professional boxing fights. Why can't we do it? I've accomplished way more than McGregor in my fighting career, way more. So why couldn't we do it?"
While Spong describes himself as a ‘non-natural’ heavyweight; having launched his kickboxing career as a middleweight, his power is unmistakable. In his young, unblemished boxing career; Spong has achieved a knockout result in each twelve bouts. None more impressive than his last which took place this past August.
Facing Spanish boxer Santander Silgado at the Convention Center in West Palm Beach – his first bout state side in over two calendar years – Spong would stop the former title-holding heavyweight in the first round with a final blow that landed as much on Silgado’s guard as the side of his head.
Currently the WBC and WBO Latino Heavyweight Champion; his recent success seems to have begun transcending much of the politics spoken of above. Sliding upwards from his recent designation of twelfth contender to the WBO title; now situated seventh, behind a familiar name, as it were.
During the K-1 World Grand Prix in 2009 – which is equivalent to the Super Bowl of international kickboxing, for those whom are unaware – Spong faced an opponent he had not previously faced in Kyotaro Fujimoto. From Japan, and similar in age, the two battled in the ‘Super Fight’ – which is a consolation match, if you will – to a unanimous, three-round decision for the son of Suriname. Fujimoto would fight just four more times under the umbrella of kickboxing before his first official boxing result in December 2011.
Fast forward seven years and Spong sits behind Fujimoto in the current WBO rankings; with the Japanese fighter holding down the sixth designation.
Holding double belts, alike to his counterpart, Fujimoto defeated Suthat Kalakek of Thailand just a little south of a month from today; on September 25th. Seemingly, this would open up both their schedules in the vicinity of June 2019.
Whether a bout takes place, then -- or in the future -- Spong vs. Fujimoto in a boxing ring would be a telling story of how far both fighters have come.
While acknowledging that a fight against current WBO heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is his current end game; he also threw a little shade -- albeit purposeful or accidental -- the way of number one contender Dillian Whyte. In the same interview, on the topic of transitioning between fighting styles and weight classes, Spong mentioned of Whyte:
"I'm a kickboxer on the highest level, you know? Klitschko always said he was a kickboxer. He was never a kickboxer at my level, never. Even Dillian Whyte said he was a kickboxer; but not at my level.”
As these competitors and others like them experience success in traditional boxing -- internationally, and stateside -- more opportunities will open to others who transition. Looking forward; this could be a movement that shatters the glass ceiling -- so to speak -- of the boxing communities hodling of those with more 'blood in the game'; for decades being synonymous with fixing fights and padding bouts.
One thing is for sure, Spong is ready -- and has the track record -- to take on the world.
Got a better movie title? I’d love to hear some suggestions. I know there is bound to be a good one out there.
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