Joliet Boxing Sensation Will Represent USA In 2028 Olympics: Mayor D'Arcy Predicts

JOLIET, IL — On Monday afternoon, Joliet Patch published a Facebook Live interview featuring Joliet's star boxer, 18-year-old Joseph "Jojo" Awinonyga, as he met with Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy.

Awinonyga will be flying to Germany in July as he continues in his relentless pursuit of making the 2028 U.S. Olympics boxing team. After boxing in Germany, Jojo told Joliet Patch he will head to Canada in late September for more boxing competitions as he sets his sights on the U.S. Olympics.

Joliet Patch: "Talk about the importance of having Jojo at City Hall, today."

Mayor D'Arcy: "You know, he really represents Joliet and all its finest. We've got a lot of great young athletes. He's taken it to a level that we haven't seen in a while, which would be the Olympics in 2028. So, we're super proud of him and want to support him in every way we can, and we know that he is going to make that journey."

Patch: "Jojo, you've been involved in boxing since you were about 5 years old?"

Jojo: "So, the main reason that I was able to get into boxing was just my parents, my father was an ex-professional boxer, and then I started fighting around the age of 5. That's when he really took me into the field and I really got into the hemisphere of boxing and then from there I had my first fight at 8, and I started winning my national tournaments at 9 years old."

Patch: "Now, this summer is going to be very important for you. You're going to be heading to Europe, to Germany, right?"

Jojo: "I will be heading to Brandenburg, Germany for another international cup that will have multiple different nations come out to the country of Germany ... and be able to fight with other international boxers my same age and weight class. It will be another great experience for me to get into that next change of getting into that elite level of amateur boxing."

Patch: "The possibility of Joliet having an Olympic boxer, what are your thoughts on that?"

Mayor D'Arcy: "110 percent going to happen. No doubt in my mind. His dedication. His family's dedication is remarkable, and that's what it takes to get to that level."

Patch: "Jojo, 2028 is the next Olympics that you're training for. What is it going to take for you to make the team?"

Jojo: "When it comes to making the team, I personally still need to find out what weight class I'm aiming to go for, but right now, my goal is at 176 (lbs), my parents feel the best place for me is 198. I feel right now around 60 percent of the way there. The main things that I will need to do is when I do reach the elite level, which is coming up in a couple of months, that I will be winning those international tournaments concurrently and just staying consistent and the main goal — don't lose."

Patch: "Talk about having boxing family members. Has that paid off or helped you immensely over the years with your training?"

Jojo: "I would say they have helped me immensely .... my dad being someone who went through the game before. Being able to take all the different things that he has learned and apply that into my game, and from there, I feel like I became the best boxer I could."

Patch: "You've grown up in Joliet. Talk about the influence that Joliet as a city as a community has had on your life and upbringing so far?"

Jojo: "I would say that a lot of different people ask me all the time why do I not venture out of Joliet? Why don't I go to places like Las Vegas or California, where boxing is really at a high rate in those states? But for me, I find Joliet to be a beautiful hometown that supports me fully and is able to showcase the love that I won't be able to experience anywhere else. I'm very glad to be honoring my hometown and always showcasing what Joliet has to offer."

Before the interview ended, Joliet Patch offered Jojo a chance to offer any last remarks about his boxing and future plans.

Jojo: "The main thing I would like to say is that I'm always grateful to all the people from Joliet, all the different supporters from all over the world that go ahead and support me onto my dreams and goals, so I just want to say, thank you."

Patch: "Mayor D'Arcy, any other last-minute points you want to let people know about as far as with Jojo or the importance of sports in Joliet?"

D'Arcy: "We've got a lot of kids who are working hard, and he's just another fine example. Jeremiah Fears just got drafted in the NBA, and we've got other kids that have been Olympians in Joliet, so we're proud of the community, we're a city of champions and another indication that we're not going to stop now."

According to his website, "Joseph is training relentlessly to bring home the gold at the 2028 Olympics. His dedication, discipline, and drive not only inspire young athletes across the country but also demonstrate the power of determination and heart. He is also a role model for youth and a voice for integrity and service, representing the best of American athleticism."

Merchandise available: Fellow Joliet teenager and entrepreneur Blake Allocco — a senior to be at Joliet Central High School — has his own T-shirt design company called Tailored Production, and he features eight different Jojo Awinongya shirts. Most of the Jojo shirts are about $25.

"Joseph gets a commission off every T-shirt sold," Allocco explained to Joliet Patch.

To learn more, visit Blake's website is called Tailoredproduction.com