A nineteen-year-old with the ring miles of a veteran sits down with us to unpack the leap from a decorated amateur run to the disciplined chaos of the pros. He’s honest about why the amateur point system never fit his style, how that frustration became fuel, and what it took to push past family hesitation and trust a coach who believed he was ready. From the first pro win to a sharpen-the-jab takeaway, you’ll hear the craft, the nerves, and the clarity that comes with stepping under brighter lights.

We walk through his daily engine: early runs, strength and conditioning, and focused rounds that build timing, balance, and composure. Weight management shows up as the toughest mental fight, and he explains how “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready” became more than a slogan after a month off forced him to rebuild conditioning. He breaks down life at 114 pounds, a measured plan to test 118 later, and why five fights in 2026 would be the perfect crucible for growth. There’s room for real talk too—pizza and a double quarter pounder after a win—because even the most disciplined fighters need a release valve before the grind resumes.

The style shop talk hits a new gear when he names Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as a dream dance partner and weighs that against Naoya Inoue’s speed and ring control. He sees the small tactical moments others miss—pressing ropes, finishing sequences, exploiting hesitation—and uses them as lessons for his own blueprint. We also explore the future of youth boxing: more local tournaments, better access, and how a year of wrestling built the cardio and grit that still serve him today. It’s a story of sacrifice, family accountability, and faith, told by a fighter who knows exactly what he wants: belts, respect, and a body of work that stands up anywhere.

Listen now, share with a boxing friend, and tell us who you want to see him face at 114. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and leave a quick review—your support helps more fight fans find conversations like this.

The Boxing Grind

A knockout debut might look like instant success, but the real story starts years earlier in a quiet gym in Santa Fe. We sit down with a young 115-pound prospect who found boxing at twelve, stuck with it after friends quit, and turned a thin amateur résumé into a professional launch built on repetition, patience, and relentless discipline. From five amateur fights to an explosive first pro finish, he walks us through the decisions and daily habits that shape a rising career.

We dig into what most fans don’t see: six-day training weeks, twice-a-week sparring in camp, and the uncomfortable truth that the toughest fight often happens at the dinner table. He’s candid about the weight cut, learning to count calories, and breaking a stubborn sweet tooth. The plan is simple but demanding—structured meals, steady conditioning, and a calm mind on the scale. That approach translates in the ring, where he promises to take the knockout if the opening is there, without forcing chaos for the cameras.

We also talk idols, styles, and the gap between hype and craft. He grew up watching Canelo, respects how time changes a champion’s toolkit, and sees why a technician with speed and timing can disrupt even elite defenses. When it comes to dream opponents, he wants the challenge that demands the most growth. Beyond the ring, his message to younger listeners is clear: discipline wins. He frames motivation as a quiet race against an unseen rival his age and weight, and he believes boxing can help bullied kids build confidence and character—the kind that lets them walk away knowing they could fight, but don’t need to.

If you’re here for fight IQ, real training insight, and a grounded view of what it takes to rise at super flyweight, this one’s for you. Tap play, subscribe for more conversations with emerging and elite fighters, and leave a review to tell us your pick for his next opponent.

The Boxing Grind

The path to a champion’s mindset doesn’t start with a belt. It starts with a choice—and Yoruba’s first big choice was to switch from orthodox to Southpaw as a kid, mastering the stance until it felt like home. From losing his first five amateur fights to stacking 200 bouts and stepping confidently into the pros, he shares how fundamentals, honesty, and patience turned frustration into fuel.

We dig into what really changes from amateur point-scoring to professional punishment. Yoruba explains why snapping punches is a lost art, how he treats sparring like the closest thing to fight night, and why intensity has to be earned before it’s unleashed. He opens up about the realities pros face—opponents pulling out, camps shifting, the politics of the amateur scene—and how he keeps momentum with discipline and gratitude. The jab becomes the anchor: a tool he drills for entire sessions, a compass for distance, timing, and control.

Family and community shape this story. His father is his coach, pushing him past comfort without selling him easy answers, and his sister brings body-shot power that sets the bar for toughness. We talk about building toward multiple-division titles from 118 and 122, traveling to Vegas for elite work, and what New Mexico’s boxing culture needs to truly shine: fewer egos, more fundamentals, and safer, smarter coaching. If you care about craft over clout, this conversation will land.

Subscribe for more honest fight stories, share this with someone grinding toward a goal, and leave a review to tell us your biggest takeaway. What’s the single skill you’re drilling this week?

The Boxing Grind