Flashing back to some sparring a few years back with Kevin Newman II and Will Clemons (background) inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas (Photo: Hustle Boss)
By Chris Robinson
It had been a while since we updated our Instagram with some “Throwback Thursday (#TBT)” posts.
Taking a trip back a few years can really open your eyes for just a minute.
Take young Joel Diaz, seen below. Now 20-0 with 16 knockouts as a professional in the lightweight class, Diaz has an exciting style coupled with a humble approach to the game that makes him a can’t miss prospect knocking on the door of contender status. Diaz is slated for a Jan. 31 return inside of the Bell Center in Quebec, Can. on the Sergey Kovalev-Jean Pascall II undercard.
This photo below is from about three years back when Diaz was training inside of the Summit Gym in Big Bear, Calif.
Light heavyweight prospect Ronald Mixon (5-0, 4 KO’s) is definitely a guy to look out for. Hustle Boss first crossed paths with Mixon a few years ago when he was rolling with Ben Bautista and his son Izaiah.
The photo was take in September of 2013, a month before Mixon’s pro debut.
It’s always a pleasure to see promising amateur talents blossom into young professionals in the fight game.
The picture below, taken in November 2013, is of prospects Kenneth Sims Jr. and Thomas Hill, both amateurs at the time. Sims is now 6-0 with 2 knockouts and Hill is 5-0 (1 KO).
Allante Williams always believed in his abilities during his early days training inside of the Mayweather Boxing Club. So too did Hustle Boss take notice.
Check the picture below, from August of 2014, as Williams drills the heavy bag. Williams has since debuted in Sonora, Mexico on Dec. 12 and is looking towards a busy 2016.
I will always remember the day in July of 2010 when I interviewed Zab Judah inside of the H.I,T. Factory Gym in Las Vegas and he specifically pointed out to me that young Devon Haney, just 11 years old at the time, would be a can’t miss star in the game.
Judah’s words have definitely rung true, as Haney is off to an explosive start to his career, debuting and going 2-0 overall this month with a pair of first round knockout victories in Mexico. With Haney now in the pro ranks, it’s fitting to look back at a picture of him with Judah.
This shot below, also from November of last year, was also taken at the H.I.T. Factory.
More takes with J’Leon Love, Thomas Hill, Marcellus Williams, and Hassan Brown, from another Thanksgiving at the Muhammad household, this one from 2014.
Chris Robinson can be reached at CRobinson@hustleboss.com