In this episode of "The Voice of Boxing," I had the pleasure of speaking with one of the most inspirational young fighters in Britain today, Michael Lukali, better known as Michael King. Michael's journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the UK is nothing short of extraordinary.

Michael shared his early life experiences in Congo, where he faced extreme poverty and had to start working at the age of eight to support his family. He recounted the emotional and physical challenges he endured, including being separated from his family when they moved to the UK and he was denied a visa. Left homeless at 14, Michael's faith and determination kept him going until he was finally reunited with his family in the UK at the age of 16.

Once in the UK, Michael faced new challenges, including learning English and supporting his family financially. He worked various low-paying jobs, including as a kitchen porter and at KFC, where he was eventually fired for eating too much of the food. It was during his time at KFC that Michael discovered boxing, inspired by the high-profile fight between Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather.

Despite having no prior experience in sports and initially being terrible at boxing, Michael's determination saw him through. He trained rigorously at All Stars Boxing Gym in West London, overcoming ridicule and physical pain to improve his skills. Michael went on to have 14 amateur fights, winning 10 of them, before deciding to pursue a professional career in boxing.

Michael's story is a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit. From a challenging childhood in Congo to finding his passion for boxing in the UK, Michael King is a name to watch in the welterweight division. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for inspiration and a reminder of the power of perseverance.

Timestamps:
00:22 - Guest Introduction: Michael King (Michael Lukali)
01:04 - Overview of Podcast Content
01:26 - Michael King's Inspirational Story
01:47 - Michael and His Monkey: An Unusual Companion
02:42 - The Story Behind the Monkey
04:02 - Trust Issues in Boxing
05:00 - Michael's Childhood Struggles with Speech
05:57 - Growing Up in the Democratic Republic of Congo
07:08 - Early Work and Family Life in Congo
09:07 - Separation from Family and Homelessness
11:06 - Faith and Survival in Congo
14:01 - Struggles with Education in Congo
15:01 - Working Various Jobs as a Teenager
16:14 - Reuniting with Family in the UK
17:10 - Moving to Nottingham and Initial Homelessness
19:05 - Kindness of Strangers in Nottingham
22:20 - Learning English and Adapting to the UK
23:51 - Early Work Experiences in the UK
27:01 - Working at KFC and Family Dynamics
30:13 - Day-to-Day Survival in the UK
30:39 - Initial Disinterest in Sports
31:22 - Weight Gain and Firing from KFC
31:57 - Moving to West London and Discovering Boxing
33:27 - Inspiration from Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather Fight
34:50 - First Visit to a Boxing Gym
37:13 - Initial Struggles and Motivation in Boxing
40:02 - Amateur Boxing Journey
00:42:10 - Overcoming Criticism and Improving Skills
00:42:54 - Family Issues and Pursuing Professional Boxing