On the Ropes? Not Quite

He compiled an incredible 209 wins against just 12 losses as an amateur boxer. He was the U.S. national amateur champion in 1998. He went on to represent America in the 2000 Olympic games with glory, helping lead the United States to a bronze medal– all this before turning pro.

Professional Prowess:

Once he did rise to the professional ranks, his star only shined brighter. He made his professional debut in 2001, and in stellar fashion. He scored a knockout in the first round. That was just a harbinger of things to come. The beast from St. Pete won his next eight fights, all via KO. He would not be denied ultimate glory, as he captured the WBC Continental Americas super middleweight championship by second round TKO.

There was plenty more to come. Just over two years after his debut, his devastating left hook led him to the USBA and NABA super middleweight titles. Following that, he took home with him the IBF world super middleweight title, making him a rarity in the sport of pugilism, as a three-time world champion.

He racked up wins on points with his speed, while demolishing other opponents with his power, most noticeably with his left hook. He was a classic boxer who could dance, bob, and weave. It certainly helped that he could mix it up inside, fearing no opponent in a bloody brawl. And he was heady as well. He knew each and every man he entered the ring against, having not only trained for the opposition, but studying a ton of film leading up to fight night. When he touched gloves before the opening bell, he instilled fear, causing the boxer in the other corner panic and worry. They didn’t know what was to come, but he did.

He delighted audiences in his hometown, throughout America, and even those abroad, as he had bouts in England, Turkey, New Zealand, and other countries.

When the bell rang after his final boxing match, this legend had amassed a pro record of 27-6 with 18 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Standing 8-Count:

But, life can get the better of any person on this planet, even those at the top, even those who can call themselves world champion. A series of events led to something unexpected. This man who routinely stared at men he’d floored in the squared circle, landed in a homeless shelter. A tragic fall from grace? He will tell you, “Absolutely not.” He is in what he simply calls a chapter of his life’s book. “Me being in here in a homeless shelter, and seeing life from this perspective, it really makes me respect what God has walked me into.”

That new, unforeseen perspective has the champ taking a step back to see things from a different lens. “We don’t always recognize the little things. It’s these moments that matter most. It means more in this position to hear someone tell me they love me. A lot of times, we wait until someone close passes away, or we hear about someone else going through something, and we want to reach out to them and put love into a conversation.”

The man who grew up quickly, taking jabs and uppercuts during his career, has begun to understand in uncanny fashion, what the average Joe deals with in the blue-collar world.

“Life goes on every day, and we don’t always focus on the key points in life, we worry about getting a job, a raise, or getting fired. There’s much bigger things at play.”

So, will this finely-tuned athlete-turned one of the common folk be down for the count?

Hardly.

“The only way I can answer that is the way I would respond in the ring. How are you going to respond? Some look to see you win, some look to see you lose. Sometimes it’s about reacting to life. I loved that about fighting. It only takes one punch to turn the whole game around…it’s so much like life. I’m going through it right now. I look at it like boxing. Bring it on, I like the challenge. This is something totally different. I never saw this happening, but at the same time, I consider this a blessing.”

Back Up off the Mat:

We’ll follow up with the three-time world champion boxer, and give you the return to glory that he’s close to reclaiming.

We’ve purposefully not revealed his name per his request, but once he holds that symbolic title belt over his head once again, you may very well know of who we speak.