Brandon Alexander wins UBO middleweight belt as he chases boxing dream
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ZANESVILLE — Boxing has opened numerous opportunities for Brandon Alexander.
From traveling the world, meeting renowned boxers and competing for titles, Alexander’s years of dedication and persistence have been rewarded.
His latest accomplishment has him on the cusp of achieving a lifelong goal.
Alexander claimed the vacant Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) International Middleweight title, beating Daniel Lopez in a title fight on March 22 at the Club La Pradera in Carmen De Apicala, Colombia.
The Zanesville native relied on his jab and landed well-placed body shots to control Lopez in the first round, according to the UBO story on Facebook. He turned up his intensity in the second round, relying on combinations before knocking Lopez to the mat with a hard left hook to the body. Lopez was unable to beat the count, prompting referee Daniel Segura to wave it off.
Alexander, who improved his pro mark to 7-0 with five knockouts, will compete for the UBO Inter-continental title in June.
“Boxing is something I’ve done throughout my life. I enjoy the individual part of the sport, and I like the challenge,” Alexander said. “The belt was open, and I met with promoters for the chance to fight for it. There’s a very small percentage of boxers who get chances like this, and it’s been a blessing to have that opportunity. I’ve dreamed about it, and it’s very meaningful for it to come true.”
Boxing changed Alexander’s life
Alexander knew the struggles of life at an early age, but boxing provided an outlet. He started the sport when he was 12 years old in 1999, training with PAL Boxing in Zanesville.
Success soon followed, getting a chance to box in Las Vegas when he was 14. He participated in top competitions like the Silver and Golden Gloves tournaments, the PAL Nationals and the Ohio State Fair. He lost just 32 times in 165 amateur bouts and was a six-time Regional Golden Glove Champion.
Boxing instilled the traits that helped Alexander through his trials and triumphs.
It’s also why he currently works with Counterpunch Combat in Newark, where he tells his story to encourage youth.
“For any kid struggling and not involved in other school sports, I recommend boxing because it leads to great discipline and builds character,” Alexander said. “Being from a poor family, boxing turned my life around. It allowed me to experience the world. Boxing has provided me a great opportunity to compete and improve myself, and it’s also why I give back to the community.”
Alexander stood out in his amateur days, becoming a Junior Olympic Silver Medalist. He even had an opportunity to become an Olympic qualifier for the 2012 Summer Games in London, but trouble took away that chance.
His career was derailed after being sentenced to the federal penitentiary for marijuana/drug possession, but Alexander felt that misstep allowed him to reflect on his career. After his release, he turned pro in 2015 and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, to train with boxing elites like Jeff Lacy,…
Read More: Brandon Alexander wins UBO middleweight belt as he chases boxing dream 2024-05-10 09:06:51