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'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.

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.

[11] Joseph Awinongya played Paalo in the 2013 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.