Joseph Awinongya

Joseph Awinongya (born 1974 in Asiaman, Ghana) is a professional boxing trainer and public speaker on sports who operates the Will County Boxing Gym in Joliet, Illinois, and is best known as the trainer of IBO International Middleweight champion Osumanu Adama. He was also a former professional cruiserweight boxer known as 'The African Assassin'.

Awinongya was signed by Don King (boxing promoter) as a cruiserweight boxer after being seen while sparring in Europe. Awinongya compiled a professional record of 12-9-5 with 3 knockouts, in bouts held in Italy, the Netherlands, and in the United States. Awinongya never fought in Ghana. Awinongya's boxing career moved from Europe to the United States in 1999, and he was unbeaten in eight straight bouts before losing an eight round decision to Steve Cunningham. While Awinongya was never world champion, Awinongya became an internationally respected boxing trainer. He remains “happy to be in America” and has established a boxing gym for fighters from Ghana to come to the United States and train, where he feels they will not be taken advantage of by unscrupulous managers and promoters.

A well-known dynamic public speaker to young people, he presents hundreds of seminars and speeches annually on topics including sportsmanship, leadership, personal health and wellness, staying focused, inspiring students to stay in school, and staying away from drugs.

Joseph Awinongya plays Paalo in the upcoming cable television movie 'Dreams' opposite Tommy Ford, Vicky Winans, Angie Stone, Dave Scott, Geoffrey Owens of the (Cosby Show), Terri Van Martin, Mel Jackson, Lisa Tucker, and Syesha Mercado of (American Idol). Joel Kapity, producer, director and co-screenwriter of 'Dreams' said, "one particular scene featuring Awinongya was so powerful, it moved everyone, including the camera crew, to tears."