Allante Williams training inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club (Photo: Chris Robinson – www.HustleBoss.com)
By Allante Williams
After growing up in an environment where engaging in physical combat was frowned upon, being physically abused, had confidence shattered growing up, I’m becoming more more comfortable with the act of putting hands on a willing opponent.
Confidence is building dangerously rapidly.
At first, pursuing an amateur career seemed like the sensible thing to do, then I realized it just mounted up to experience; the same experience I could get in the gym from sparring! Sure it would get me acquainted with the performance stage and being in the spotlight, but as a natural entertainer, I wouldn’t be focusing on how many people are there and getting nervous about it, I would come to put on an excellent performance showcasing my ability in the sport of boxing.
My biggest pet peeve is the use of headgear. Why get so comfortable with headgear when in the case you go professional, it comes off anyway? Would you rather be ripped out of your comfort zone at your pro debut, or have time to ease out of it?
There have been many successful boxers who made it through professional careers without an amateur background, or with a very brief one, such as Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Anthony Mundine, Billy Conn (who learned the craft through sparring), Roberto Duran, Chavez Sr. & Jr, etc.
My psychology behind the use of headgear is an unusual one, but it works for me. I hate headgear simply because it doesn’t allow my mind to flow as freely; I feel like I’m in a box. Other guys have been used to headgear, growing accustomed to it. But me? I learned backwards.
With headgear, I don’t feel safer, I’m more tense; but without it? I’m like a gazelle, stylistically moving, never getting tired. The natural fight or flight instinct has evaporated and the idea of the match being a friendly competition settles in and I am relaxed.
Gym spectators have come up to me, even other fighters in the gym, wondering how many fights I’ve had.
They recoil in shock when I tell them I’ve had zero fights, amateur or pro. They peep my work ethic and think I’ve been in the sport for years; I’ve only been in a boxing gym setting since October 2013, and taught myself what I know. I’ve been conditioning my body for two years.
Now I consider going professional simply because I didn’t pack up and move to Las Vegas with $240 in my pocket to box for free. As hungry as it may sound, it’s the truth. I have to eat. I have made promises, and I hate to be a man of an empty word.
I can go professional, I know I have the work ethic to do so. I have the motivation. Floyd Mayweather himself inspired the work ethic. At the end of the day, beyond the Bugatti fleet he has amassed, the houses, he showed me that hard work pays off.
The fact that I live a clean lifestyle (I’ve never drank, smoked, no tattoos and no piercings) says it all, I have the discipline to go far in this sport. I hate club settings, I would rather be at the gym. I led this lifestyle before I even knew about Floyd or the example he set for his own stable.
Floyd Mayweather inspired me to be first in the gym and last to leave, run 10-12 miles just to burn off the 12-piece cheesecake platter I demolished; do 38 rounds on the heavy bag to perfect my left hook.
I know I have what it takes. People don’t believe me, that’s fine. I wasn’t baptized in the sport at an early age. I’ve been doing this much on my own.
Doesn’t hurt to have the right team, however. That’s what I’m looking for. A manager, primarily.
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Chris Robinson can be reached at Trimond@aol.com