To succeed in boxing, fighters must be well-versed in the nuances and complexities of their craft.
Whether that is through understanding different forms of combat – and how they translate to a gladiatorial spectacle in the ring – a fighter must, above all else, find comfort in the heat of battle.
For Aloys Junior, a rising cruiserweight prospect who carries dynamite in both fists, the art of war is what consumes his focus each and every day.
Instead of seeking a distraction during his downtime, the 22-year-old will immerse himself in the history of conflict, drawing inspiration from some of the most legendary combatants this world has ever seen.
“Men like me aren’t designed to work in offices,” Junior told Boxing News.
“I’m here to fight; I’m here to conquer. In a previous life I would’ve been a Mongol, running into someone’s village and taking everything. I’m just here for war.
“I like to read about the dynasties of China; I like to know about Genghis Khan – all the greatest warriors throughout history. War is just part of my existence.”
This level of obsession is, in many ways, what sharpens a fighter’s armoury ahead of a fiercely contested battle.
Not only does one need to hone their skills in the gym but they must also prepare themselves for all possible outcomes.
Junior, of course, is well aware of the mental robustness that is required in boxing and, with help from those closest to him, he began to develop a tenacious mindset right from an early age.
“In my family, it’s all about strength,” he said. “My father’s a very strong man – a traditional African man. I’ve never seen him miss a day at the gym and, even now, he’s still going at 56 years old.
“I’m telling you, that’s where my fighting spirit and everything comes from.”
Clearly, a warrior’s mindset was never too far beyond his grasp, not so much acquired but rather nurtured alongside his day-to-day life.
And yet, while he has always expressed a desire to strive for greatness, the Londoner was nonetheless forced to overcome a hellacious onslaught the first time he stepped through the ropes.
“Getting hit for the first time was a shock to the system,” Junior admitted. “When the kid [he was fighting] started throwing punches, it felt like they were raining on my head.
“I was trying to hold myself together and brace for the shots, but they just kept on coming.
“I cried after that spar, because I was so upset. Then I just wanted vengeance, and was like, ‘I need to get better than this guy. This guy’s just beaten me up, so I need to be able to beat him up.’”
Junior’s story will most likely resonate with anyone who has entered the squared circle.
For many, getting hit for the first time is a deeply unnerving experience, often causing one to feel trapped inside a torturous box of pain and fear.
For fighters, though, there is an almost sadistic desire to push through the pain barrier and inflict their own damage, with an emphatic finish inside the distance always representing the ideal method of victory.
Naturally, with all but one of his nine professional wins ending in destructive fashion, Junior’s power is what has built the foundations for his success.
But while power is generated through well-conditioned muscles and refined technique, it is also the mindset of a fighter – and how one approaches each assignment – which can contribute to a spiteful performance.
“The best part about boxing is getting the knockout, [preferably] in the most brutal manner possible,” Junior said.
“I will never be in a state where I stop or run away – that’s just not my mentality. I need to keep coming forward to get the job done. I need to win.
“That’s how I think when I do anything [in life]. Even when I’m tying my shoelaces, I want to be the very best.”
Having grasped the fundamentals of war, Junior is seemingly well equipped to navigate himself through the world of professional boxing, a treacherous form of combat where even the most fearsome of operators struggle to shine.
But before progressing to the next stage of his promising career, ‘The Animal’ must first get past his British title eliminator, against David Jamieson, on the undercard of Josh Taylor vs Ekow Essuman this Saturday.
“I expect [Jamieson] to be durable, to be tough, to be strong – and a man that’s coming to fight,” Junior said.
“But I know what I’m coming to bring… I’m coming to bring that smoke. Whatever he tries to do, I’m going to suppress it.
“My power is godly. When I catch someone clean and flush, the likelihood of them surviving the round is very low.”
After reverting back to discussing his favourite topic, Junior took a moment to describe what it truly feels like to secure a grandstand finish.
Simply put, he said: “It’s orgasmic. It’s the biggest hit of dopamine a human can experience.”
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