2026-03-21 12:32:30
Joel Kodua became a boxer after a near-death experience at work.
The 29-year-old welterweight was a railway engineer before embarking on a full-time sporting career and he viewed a workplace accident as a “sign from God”.
He told Boxing News magazine: “There was one shift where I had a near-death experience: One of the rails almost hit my head. It was mad.
“I think I was in shock when it happened; everything happened in a split-second.
“The rail was literally this close from my head.
“I took it as a sign from God, to make me focus on what I actually wanted to do.
“Even now, my coach, Ade, will say to me, ‘Remember the days when you were on the railway? Now just go out there and show everyone what you’re made of.’ “
Joel recalled how tough his railway job could be.
He said: “I was working night shifts and day shifts while managing to mix it in with training.
“For some fights, I’d go straight from work into the fight.
“Whether it’s cold, hot, raining, snowing or dry, you’ve got to go out there and graft, shovelling stones, fixing the tracks or even picking up the rail and repairing it.”
Joel’s brother Gideon is a footballer and while they rarely get to see one another in action, they are always supportive of each other.
He said: “My brother plays for Luton Town – he’s on loan from West Ham – and we’re always clashing with our dates.
“He tried to rush to get there for my last fight after his game, but couldn’t make it in time.
“But we always push and motivate each other, whether it’s for me to get the knockout or for him to go and score – or for both of us to just get the win, regardless.”
Visit Bang Premier (main website)
