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#11-30-012

As a young athlete about to turn professional, Jonathon Perez has simple yet profound advice for his fellow boxers.

“Work hard every day and never give up,” Perez said. “In boxing some days go well and some days go bad. But no matter what happens, never give up. Just work harder every day.”

Perez, who is 19 years old and trains at Circle of Discipline, will have his first pro fight at Target Center Dec. 18.  Perez attended Shakopee High School and fought for 7 years prior to turning professional. While growing up, he was inspired by his uncles and his father, who were boxers. One of his uncles was a world champion and that helped him to become interested.

“I think it’s in my blood and my genes,” he said. “Boxing for me is natural; I love to fight.”

Perez said he is training hard for his fight on the 18th, and he expects a win. His biggest strengths as a boxer are speed, footwork and power, he said. Over the years, he has grown in the sport because he has become much more disciplined. The sparring training he’s had at Circle of Discipline has helped him with that.

Although there are many great fighters out there, Perez greatly admires Julio César Chávez and Floyd Mayweather, for their discipline and hard work. Additionally, he is proud to work with Jamal James at COD.

Perez’s jump to the professional ring is met with great excitement.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I started boxing,” he said. “My dream came true, and I’m just excited to be a professional. I am training to be a world champion, and I’m excited to turn pro.”

*To find results for Jonathon Perez’s first fight as a pro, please visit MinnesotaBoxing.com

Otahl "Slim" Saunders

We fight our own battles. It doesn’t matter if they’re in the ring or in our psyche.

Fourteen-year-old Otahl “Slim” Saunders, who trains at Circle of Discipline, knows all about those battles. After tragedy struck his family, boxing helped him deal with his emotions.

“My dad had passed away, and I had a whole bunch of anger built up, and I didn’t know what to do with it,” he said. “I told my mom that I needed to find a sport. She asked me if I just wanted to fight. I told her ‘no, I want to control myself.’”

Otahl Saunders Sr. & Otahl "Slim" Saunders Jr.

Slim’s father, Otahl Saunders, was one of three people killed during a St. Paul house break-in in 2007, according to published reports.

The intensity of the sport helps him deal with what happened, Slim said.

“After a very hard workout, I am relieved,” he said. “It makes you want to have fun. It takes out a lot of stress and things you have built up on the inside.”

Additionally, the sense of community at Circle of Discipline and in the amateur boxing community is a great help.

COD Coach, Sankara Frazier sharing a moment with Slim after his match

Slim has been training for about two years and boxing for a year and a half. His current tournament fighting weight is 106. The next big tournament he is anticipating is the Ringside National Championships in August. At that event, he hopes to win the first belt of his career.

Endurance, speed, and power are some of his biggest strengths in boxing, he said. The biggest challenge is to stay balanced during the different types of workouts he does.

“I would say that another strength of mine is having pride and heart behind every combination I throw, and every match that I go into.”

The Minnesota boxers who Slim admires the most are Jamal James and Javontae Starks, both from Circle of Discipline. He also is a big fan of Muhammed Ali.

Slim has the following advice for anyone just starting out in boxing:

“Put your mind to it, and try to put your heart to it also. If it’s really what you want to do, then just be dedicated to it.”

(L) Assistant Coach, Jamal James working with a boxer

As a professional boxer and assistant coach at Circle of Discipline, Jamal James enjoys learning from young fighters as well as teaching them. He said when boxers win a championship or a just a fight, it is a great boost to their confidence.

What’s more, it helps manage the more difficult aspects of life.

“Boxing helps a person deal with negative energy,” James said. “They can channel the anger out in a positive way, and deal with the stress. Intense training helps to calm the body down and avoid the negative energy. Slim will be doing well, if he sticks with it. I have high expectations for him.”

“It would have been nice to get some (matches) along the way, especially considering that it’s not easy for me to find (matches) these days. ”

When asked what she was doing in the gym to prepare for nationals she says,  “I’m doing what ever Sankara tells me to do. Some things are new just because I’m preparing to (compete) on a higher level then I have in the past.  But for the most part the level of discipline has just changed now that I’m out of school for a little bit and can really dedicate my time and energy to training.  I feel good, I’m in shape, my weight is at 145 and I’m planning on competing at 152lbs. ”
-Ryan Hamilton

L to R: Adonis Frazier, Savannah Osborn/Photo: Ryan Hamilton

Amateur Boxing Fundraiser
$10 adults/ $5 kids
Date: Saturday, February 13th
Time: 2pm-6pm
Location: Richard Green Central
3416 4th ave. South, Mpls

#10-30-017

The Circle of Discipline will be holding a show at the Richard Green School. Click here for more details.

Uppercut Gym will be hosting a night of amateur boxing.  Click here for more details.

Wadena Boxing will be hosting a boxing show at the Wadena Armory. Click here for details.