To say that world ranked junior welterweight Mykal Fox
(20-1) (5 KO’s) heads into his main event fight on Saturday night still needing
to prove that he belongs as a ranked challenger, or that he still needs to
prove that he needs to get his confidence back after a controversial loss back
in February on ShoBox against Shohjahon Ergashev, means that one would simply
be using boxing clichés to explain just where the twenty-three-year-old talent
from Maryland currently is with his career.
It also means that said person doesn’t really understand the mental
makeup of the fighter known as the “Professor.”
It’s truly a moniker that fits Fox. Fox seems to have the ability that not many
young fighters who are trying to prove that they belong fighting the elite in
the sport tend to have, the ability to understand just where his career is,
what he needs to do to enhance his current situation, and the necessity to
remain a professional throughout the entire process. Often in so many young careers on the rise, a
good-looking young challenger is willing to do what is needed of them to
excel. However, many times they tend to
neglect one of the previously mentioned three phases of a young career.
“I guess it’s part of my personality. You see guys like Tony Harrison winning a
world championship, someone like Shawn Porter being a two-time world champion
after two losses. Julian Williams
shocked everybody, and he came back from a devastating knockout loss to become
a unified world champion. So, after my
loss we needed to build ourselves back up to the next big opportunity,” stated
Fox. “That’s what we are doing right
now, with fights like this. Staying
active and fighting for the next opportunity.”
Fighting for his next opportunity is also a type of mentality
that tends to elude the mental makeup of many young fighters in the modern
boxing landscape. Unfortunately, many
young fighters notice what elite fighters can do with their careers to
capitalize financially, but fail to realize that those elite fighters are in a
position with their careers to make those type of decisions. Fox takes nothing for granted with his
career. Including one of the most
precious things that financial success can’t afford… More time.
“Being six foot four and a southpaw. Add to the fact that I can fight on the
inside and I don’t just fold like a lawn chair.
Not too many fighters want to step up and fight me. But I’m not going to wait outside of the
ring. I’m not going to sit around
waiting for the big opportunity. When
that opportunity comes, I want to be more than ready for it, by being well
prepared,” said Fox.
What is beneficial for Fox is the fact that he fights under
the Kings Promotions’ banner, which is ran by Marshall Kauffman. Kauffman is one of the promoters in the northeast
part of the country that constantly puts out a healthy schedule of fight
cards. He has also fostered great
relationships with other high-level promoters to put his fighters in the right
positions to enhance their careers. This
is key for a fighter like Fox as he tries to navigate the waters of being a fringe
contender, yet still having the understanding that national exposure through
television dates by fighting better competition is important to his overall
success. “That’s what I love about Mykal
and his father. They want to fight
better opposition because they know that they are going to get better from
it. They ask me to get them better
opponents after most fights,” stated Kauffman.
With just five knockout wins thus far, Fox is aware that
some fans and insiders may think his style is effective in getting victories,
but not in terms of excitement. Fox
takes another out look on the way he fights.
“I feel like my body is still developing, I’ll be twenty-four in
October. I’ll be getting my man strength
soon. But even when that happens, I
don’t want to be one of those fighters that start always looking for the
knockout. The plan is to let the skills
lead the way. Another thing [regarding
his lack of knockouts] is the level of opposition that I’ve fought. The guys that I’ve fought don’t just fold over,”
responded Fox.
One look at his record and anyone can see that after just
his first year as a professional, the level of opposition rose quickly. His opponents may not have had the best
records, but they were live bodies that came to win against Fox. Unlike other young fighters, Fox admits that
he is also a fan of the sport and doesn’t only view it as his profession. “I make it my business to know what is going
on in the division above me, my division, and the one below me. I like to keep up with what is going on. If I see a fighter that I never heard of in
any of those divisions, I’ll look him up and learn his background because you
never know. He could be an opponent one
day.”
Mykal Fox, along with his father Troy Fox, have created a
solid foundation for him to achieve success.
Mentally, he shows the understanding of what it takes inside of the ring
having been in tough fights against some tough opposition. Padding Fox’s record to look good for
networks so he can get television exposure is not on Team Fox’s agenda. Working hard, staying active, remaining
focused, and above all, having the patience to trust in fight plans and
preparation will help Fox gain and ultimately become successful at the elite
level when the opportunities presents itself is what is on Team Fox’s wise
agenda.
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