![](https://wbcboxing.com/wp-content/uploads/Joey_Abudy-1.jpg)
Joey Abudy won the Elite Fight at the WBC Green Belt Challenge for amateur boxers, he`s just turned pro with a KO victory and the whole world is potentially in his hands and at his feet…a crucible to mold.
The Interview I never had Series is particularly apt for Joey, because it`s his first major sit down at the WBC LA Offices. Pepe Sulaiman and Nancy Alvarez Rodriguez put him through his paces, but also, simultaneously and significantly at his ease, and in so doing, they brought the best out of this young man, who is erudite, bright and oh boy he can fight!
The initial transition from the amateurs, duration wise is negligible because Joey is currently involved in four rounders, but the aim is better place punches, utilize more power, pick and select punches in the quest to constantly improve the learning curve, by perfecting the fundamentals.
Joey found boxing and boxing found him, relatively late in youth. He was seventeen before he became involved in the sport, but once in, his prodigious potential burst out. He fell in love with boxing by watching a Rocky movie, started shadow boxing. Then it progressed to studying Shane Fazen`s Fight Tips on YouTube and he became an avid student of the Sweet Science. The Sweet Science Gym which Shane attended, is coincidently a stone`s throw from Joey`s home, and he gravitated to it, because a rolling stone gathers no moss?
Joey`s test of fortitude came early on. In a national amateur tournament he won his first fight by TKO on day one. But during the heat of battle he fractured/dislocated a collarbone, recalling: “During the fight, it felt like it was on fire, but I was still able to use it. But after the fight, I couldn`t lift my arm. The next day I weighed in and told the doctor. She agreed there was no way I could fight.
“I teared up a bit. You spend all of your money, you do all of this preparation and then that happens. Dang! I was out for a month and a half.” Joey and Team Joey wisely decided he should compete in more Nationals and then turn pro at just the right moment.
There is nothing quite like Boxing. Joey says of it: “Boxing is a very special mindset. I always say that it`s something anyone can attain if they really put to mind to it. It takes more than a little time to master it mentally, not to worry about the fights coming up and to enjoy the moment.
“You’ve got to know what you`re doing and be aware of what your opponent is doing and have reason behind every little move you are making. You can change your rhythm to throw off their timing. How you handle the big moment and stay calm, doing it. Making the best of every situation that is thrown at you.”
Minus the headgear strictly required for amateur bouts you feel a lot more open, but you can see better and the pace is a bit faster. You can feel the weight impact of the fists encased in smaller, lighter gloves appreciably more. It`s not a different kettle of fish. It`s just that the kettle is hotter and the fish are bigger! A bigger pond to ponder.
Joey who`s still physically growing, is also grateful for the growth Boxing has offered him. An offer he took up and accepted with alacrity. He says: “Boxing has completely changed my life. I`ve learned a lot, a lot about myself and I`m becoming a better person overall. This lifestyle has changed me. It`s taught me to appreciate life at a completely different level.”
The game plan for the next two years is to stay as busy as possible, get into the rankings and as Joey puts it: “Try to make some noise! I`m going through the process of being a prospect, getting better every day.”
Watch this space! Prick up your ears!
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