When and why you started boxing:
I started when I was eight years old. I followed my older cousin to the gym and it took off from there.
Favourite all-time fighter:
Floyd Mayweather because of his strategic mind and his all-round ability.
Best fight you’ve seen:
Marvin Hagler vs Thomas Hearns. They went at it non-stop from the first bell. The action was intense.
Personal career highlight:
Beating Miguel Roman [ko 9 – November 2020]. The fight was on national TV and it gained a lot of attention. He was a strong-calibre opponent who’d been in a lot of wars, so it was a good test for me.
Toughest opponent:
Alberto Mercado [w ud 10 – December 2019]. I hit him with a lot of heat but he wouldn’t go down. He’s a real tough dude.
Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
My best attribute is that I can adjust to any style and any fighter. Sometimes my worst attribute is being too nice. Being nice can get you in all types of trouble.
Training tip:
People want to get all fancy, but it always comes back to the basics. Never forget that.
Favourite meal/restaurant:
I’ve got a thing for shrimp fried rice. I don’t eat chicken, beef or pork. I’m a seafood guy – a real pescatarian. My favourite restaurant is Lotus Seafood in Houston, Texas.
Best friends in boxing:
There are no best friends in boxing – period. We all need to fight each other.
Other sportsperson you would like to be:
Floyd Mayweather because he’s got all the money. But really, I wouldn’t want to be anyone else.
Last film/TV show you saw:
Power. That’s the show I watch now. Real exciting.
Who would play you in a film of your life:
I’d pick Michael B. Jordan. He’s always around real professional boxing gyms and he’s also a great actor.
Have you ever been starstruck:
When I was a kid I met Ludacris and ended up being in his music video with Floyd Mayweather.
Last time you cried:
When my grandma died. That was tough for the family.
Best advice received:
‘Never make the same mistake twice.’ My pops gave me that advice when I was a kid.
Worst rumour about yourself:
That I’m just a boxer.
Something not many people know about you:
I’m good at basketball. I’ve got a jump shot that you wouldn’t believe.
