WHEN the popular boxing phrase ‘records are for DJ’s” is uttered, there are few better examples in the UK than Thomas Essomba. However, Saturday night’s defeat to Rhys Edwards has proved to be one too many, with Essomba announcing his retirement during the aftermath.
Born in the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde, Essomba, 14-10-1 (4 KOs), represented his nation at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Games, before defecting to the United Kingdom shortly after the latter and becoming a British citizen.
Having lost on his professional debut in 2009, Essomba kickstarted his life in the paid ranks in Britain in 2014 and built a record of 7-1, picking up the Commonwealth flyweight title along the way.
Yet, from that point onwards, Essomba would fight almost solely in tough contests, losing four of his next five but claiming the English bantamweight title in his lone win.
Once again, the Sheffield-based African was matched aggressively, dropping eventual world champion Sunny Edwards but losing a points decision, before drawing with Thomas Patrick Ward then 29-0.
Defeats against Marc Leach and Marcel Braithwaite would follow but Essomba’s greatest triumph took place soon after, as he travelled to Italy and scored a unanimous-decision win against Alessio Lorusso to spring the upset and get his hands on the European bantamweight strap.
Essomba would make one defence of the belt before losing out to Charlie Edwards at York Hall in September, then trumping journeyman Sean Jackson and heading into an eight-rounder against Welsh featherweight Rhys Edwards, 17-1 (4 KOs), at Oakwell Stadium on Saturday night.
Competitive as ever, Essomba provided a stern test for Edwards but ultimately lost a points decision (79-74), with Edwards taking control during the second half of the contest and Essomba laying down his gloves upon hearing the decision announcement.
On Instagram, Essomba’s manager, Lee Eaton, paid tribute to the career of the 37-year-old southpaw, labelling him as ‘the ultimate road warrior’.
Boxing News congratulates Thomas Essomba on his achievements over the course of both his amateur and professional career and wish him a happy retirement.
