Kingsley, one of 15 children was born in Benin City, Nigeria. He began boxing at age 12 and fell in love with the sweet science. In 1994 he was ranked 5th in the world as an amateur and represented Nigeria in the Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada. After the competition a military coup in Nigeria caused him to stay in Canada. He didn't know anyone or have anywhere to go and was forced to live in a homeless shelter in Toronto for six months. During this time he kept training, got a job and moved into his own apartment. In 1995 he turned pro and is now the North American Boxing Federation Middleweight Champion with 23 Wins (13 by knockout) and only 1 loss. He is now ranked #6 in the world in his weight division.

Kingsley is just coming off an impressive win about 3 weeks ago to #5 world ranked Antwon Echols. It was a nationally televised fight on ESPN2 and Kingsley "Sharp Knuckle" stopped Echols in the 10th round. His next fight is scheduled for later this summer.

Fox: How did you first get into boxing?

Kingsley: Since I was 3 years old I loved to fight. In grade 7, I was walking down the street and saw boxers training in a local primary school. I went up to the coach and asked him if he could train me. I started learning and during sparring the coach said I looked like a natural with potential. After this I would walk through the New Benin market with my shoulders held high and bump into people intentionally just so they would fight me and I could get some sparring

Fox: How did your parents feel boxing at the beginning of your career and how do they feel now?

Kingsley: My parents wanted me to get a good job that brings in money and didn’t like me boxing at all but when they saw me traveling around the country and world representing Nigeria they kept asking when I was going to stop and get a real job. Now that I’m a world ranked fighter I tell them that boxing is my job and they should keep praying for me while I’m in the ring.

Fox: Why did you move to Canada?

Kingsley: I represented Nigeria during the commonwealth games in Vancouver Canada in 1994 and was robbed of the gold medal in the final bout. At that time in Nigeria things were not going to well so I defected to Canada. It was not easy for me as I had nowhere to go and knew nobody. I had to live in a homeless shelter for many months but still kept in shape by going to the gym and then found a job. After saving up some money I found an apartment and kept working while still training.

Fox: What’s the first thing that surprised you when you got here?

Kingsley: One morning just after I got here I woke up at 3am to go running. When I opened the door I found white stuff falling from the sky and didn’t know what it was. I ran back into my place to call a friend and ask what was going on as I felt like the world was about to end. My friend then told my that it was only snow and I could still go run outside (he laughs).

Fox: Everyone thinks that boxers are violent people. What do you think about this perception?

Kingsley: Some people bring that into the sport. It all depends on how you were brought up and if you believe in God. If you do believe in God and were brought up well you will see it as any other sport and work hard at it without changing your personality outside the ring.

Fox: As the North American Boxing Federation Middleweight champion it’s easy to rest on your oars, what makes you keep working hard?

Kingsley: I want to be a world champion and it is not over till then. My God tells me that I will be a world champion and to do that I have to be disciplined, work hard and keep going strong

Fox: Towering at 6 feet 4 inches, do you have to be on a special diet to compete at 160lbs?

Kingsley: It’s my natural weight. While training for a fight I’m usually about 162lbs 6 weeks before the fight and have to be careful not to come in too light so weight is never an issue for me.

Fox: Why do you cross your arms in the air before each fight?

Kingsley: I cross my arms to form an X that represents a boundary that my opponent cannot cross to get to me.

Fox: Tell us a little about your fitness program?

Kingsley: I am not afraid of working hard so it depends on the trainer. If I have to run 5, 6, 7 or even 10 miles everyday I do it. If I have to spar 15 rounds I’ll do it but I don’t do any weight training because I don’t believe in weights.

Fox: Are you married and how do you feel about marrying either a Nigerian or someone from another country

Kingsley: I am not married but have a girlfriend. I told my parents a while ago that if I meet someone that I like and decide to marry they should accept my choice and pray that I have a successful marriage regardless of her nationality.

Fox: With all the money, success and fame, how do you stay humble?

Kingsley: Money shouldn’t change you, you should be who God wants you to be. It shouldn’t change your lifestyle, you still have to be yourself.

Fox: What do you do to relax when you aren’t training

Kingsley: I love to cook. I like to make red beans, cornbread, jollof rice, rice and beans with fried plantain on the side, baked salmon and other things. My friends are always begging me to cook for them and keep saying how I could put a restaurant out of business.

Fox: Any advice for young Nigerians coming up?

Kingsley: You have to be focused in whatever you’re doing whether you are a boxer, basketballer, tennis player, student, don’t be discouraged. You have to train and study hard to be the best. Also pray hard and ask God for support.

Fox: What’s next now for you?

Kingsley: I am on vacation in Canada now after my 10th round stoppage of top 10 ranked Antwon Echols. I will be back in the ring soon to start training for a match on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins/Jermain taylor in the summer against world champion felix sturm.

Fox: Jollof or fried rice?

Kingsley: I prefer fried rice because you can put meat and a lot of vegetables in it. Jollof rice only has meat but the fried rice has the vegetables that are good for you.

Fox: Thanks Kingsley for giving us this opportunity to talk to you

Kingsley: Thank you very much and I want to thank god and all my fans that supported me.

I want to thank Kingsley’s managers Gary Gittlesohn and Nelson Oliveira for making this interview possible. Nelson was very warm when I approached him with an interview request.

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