Essomba: I want to make Sunderland people happy

But first the adopted Wearsider must take care of his warm-up bout at Houghton a week tomorrow.

Essomba captured the vacant super-flyweight belt back in November when he blitzed Sheffield’s Waleed Din in the battle of the unbeaten northern fighters in Rotherham.

Manager and promoter Phil Jeffries will stage his first defence at his annual Summer Rumble at the home of Sunderland AFC.

Essomba told the Echo of the thrill of fighting at the iconic venue of the city he made his home after staying in the UK following the 2012 Olympics in London.

“Defending my title at the Stadium of Light will be a great thing, I want to make the people of Sunderland happy,” said the 27-year-old.

“That is my dream.

“I would like to defend my title two or three times, then move up.”

First, the former Cameroon boxer must negotiate his appearance at the Rainton Meadows Arena, where he will tackle an, as yet, unnamed opponent.

And Essomba insists he will be taking the fight seriously.

“Of course,” he said. “I am looking forward to the fight. Every fight to me is important.

“I don’t look at any bout as small, they all mean something to me.”

Essomba says he is in good shape, mentally and physically, but has not taken a break following the win over Din.

“I am always happy,” he smiled. “I put all my thinking, all my life into boxing.

“I did not really want or need any time off. I can enjoy a rest when I stop boxing!

“I was back in the gym after a couple of days.”

Essomba showed his class and a ruthless stop Din in the 11th round of their championship contest.

It was the Sean Casey-trained boxer’s sixth straight success as a pro.

Essomba is just part of a packed Wearside bill, starring Glenn Foot and two amateur stars turned professionals, Warren Baister and Isaac Macleod.

Another unbeaten prospect, Tommy Ward, tops the bill with a British super-bantamweight championship eliminator with Robbie Turley, from Wales.