It definitely has not been an easy journey. If you were to tell me 3 years ago that I would only have ONE competitive fight under my belt at this time, well, I wouldn't believe you. When I hooked up with Syd, I knew my boxing journey would never be the same. I was in good hands, I knew deep down that I was going to be able to pursue my dreams. I never thought it would be this good. Syd as my head trainer, Shawn Murray in charge of my progress, Lucas Rowe, the technical guru, Denton Daley, my mentor, Jarrod Guille the experienced liver killing specialist, Erika Gmeindl, the strength and conditioning coach, Derek Lacey the passionate knowledge. Not to mention all the competitive boxers that help me on a regular basis. If I don't achieve my goals in boxing, there's no way I could blame anybody but myself. Syd's gym has given me everything I could ever ask for and more.
My first competitive boxing experience wasn't supposed to be Golden Gloves. It was something I didn't even have in my scope. During that weekend I really didn't know what to think. Here I was living my dream, I was finally going to compete, I was going to box, something I had waited my entire life for. It was so emotional for me. But I couldn't get too caught up in that, I was too busy starving my ass off trying to make weight! And the one thing I wasn't counting on was how enjoyable my experience with my team would be. I had never really been a part of anything like it. It was special, something I will always treasure for the rest of my life. After my fight, I was overwhelmed, I did it. I finally did it. I just couldn't believe it. Some people I'm sure were a little confused by all the tears, but I just couldn't help it, the fact that I won the Gold medal had nothing to do with it, I couldn't care less. I competed, I boxed. It was the happiest moment of my life. And to be part of Team Destiny, to be a part of this amazing team of youngsters, I took that experience with me more than my own individual triumph.
After my fight(which was in April) we were on our way. I sat down with Syd and the plan was laid out. We were going to get as many fights in, get as much 'ring' experience we can, and chase the dream to turn professional. My May fight fell through, then my June 16 fight was met with disaster, and the event that ruined my summer, I fractured my ribs in 2 places in sparring, it put me out for almost 10 weeks, and was my 4th cracked rib in less than a year and a half. Adversity. Well, all that is done now, I'm back in business, with a fight in my 'hometown', against an opponent that I wasn't qualified enough to fight in June. I've worked hard, made my most significant improvements since I've started, and I feel like I'm ready. It has been a whirlwind journey, a whirlwind year, a whirlwind summer, hell, the last month has been chaotic! Every area in my life has suffered, except the boxing. So, I've put a lot of pressure on myself to perform well, in front of my family, friends, my team, the community, and my BBSV family. I hope I can deliver.
So I hope myself and my teammates get a lot of support, I know that I will appreciate anybody that comes out to support the event. This entertainment is unquestionably great value. Where else can you watch a bunch of great boxers, willing to demonstrate their skill with class and heart, willing to lay it all on the line for themselves, their team and their community.
