By Chris Cella
Next Friday, November 9, U.S. Olympian and amateur boxing sensation Dominic Breazeale will be stepping into the squared circle for the first time as a pro, as he is set to make his debut on ShoBox in Indio, California.
A former football player who only four years ago was following his dreams of playing in the NFL and winning a championship one day, Breazeale became an amateur standout, earning his spot to fight in the recent 2012 London Olympic games. Despite failing to win a medal, he showed the boxing world that he has what it takes to have a promising career with the gloves on.
A strong puncher who has a style that should transition well over to the pro ranks, Breazeale is excited to make his debut November 9.
“The sport of boxing is completely different when it comes to the amateurs and pros,” Breazeale explains. “The amateur ranks is about scoring points on your opponent, whereas the pro ranks is more about imposing your will and hurting your opponent.”
As an amateur, Breazeale established himself as one of the best in the country. He won the 2011 California Golden Gloves title, and this past year triumphed in the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships, while placing second in the Americas qualifier.
The former Northern Colorado University star quarterback has changed his goals from winning the most prestigious title in football to one day claiming the heavyweight championship of the world. And at 6’7” tall, the towering heavyweight has the size, power and drive to become a standout in a division that hasn’t seen an American capture a major title since Shannon Briggs defeated Sergei Liakhovich to win the WBO heavyweight strap in 2007.
Breazeale has the knowledge and skill to make a big impact when he steps between the ropes next Friday and embarks on his professional boxing career. And in addition to his impressive amateur career, he also has a strong supporting cast, training under the watchful eye of world-renowned and California Boxing Hall of Fame trainer John Bray.
Fighters are born and bred into this sport; they don’t stumble into it by accident. Come November 9, Dominic Breazeale will have the chance to prove that boxing has been his true calling all along.
