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via Imago

via Imago

Sparring tales often stay behind gym doors. But what happens when Floyd Mayweather’s protégé, Curmel Moton, enters the ring with Gervonta Davis? Imagine being 15, gloved up, facing a seasoned pro. Nerves? Certainly. But for Moton, this was no ordinary sparring session.

It was a cerebral battle, akin to chess, not just brute force. Moton, just two pro fights deep, recalls this unique encounter. Was it a daunting experience for the young boxer? Or did it forge a new layer of skill in him?

Curmel Moton learns a useful lesson 

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Curmel Moton’s recollection of his sparring session with Gervonta Davis illuminates a pivotal moment in his nascent boxing career. “I was nervous at first,” Moton admits, reflecting on stepping into the ring at 15. His opponent, Davis, wasn’t there to overpower the young aspirant. Instead, Davis focused on matching Moton’s pace, turning the session into a dynamic exchange of rapid movements. “But we was going like, he was using the speed on me. Like we was both going speed for speed,” Moton describes.

Surprisingly, Davis steered clear of using his full might. “He wasn’t really like trying to knock me out or nothing like that,” Moton reveals. Moton likens it to a “chess match,” a fitting metaphor for the intellectual duel that unfolded between them. This sparring session wasn’t just about exchanging blows; it was an invaluable lesson in the art of boxing, one that Moton evidently cherishes. “It was fun,” he concludes, his words underscoring the joy and fulfillment derived from this unique experience.

Moton on the art of ‘hit and not get hit’

Curmel Moton confronts a fundamental challenge in boxing – the clash between artistry and audience expectation. In a candid response, Moton expressed, “I wish boxing fans appreciate hit and not get hit fighters more.” This statement highlights his desire for fans to value the strategic aspect of boxing, which often gets labeled as ‘boring’. He emphasizes the art in defense and tactical fighting, a sentiment echoed in his admiration for peers like Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.

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“Fans just wanna see brawling, fighters like Shakur or Devin y’all come them boring when they fights really be like art fr,” Moton commented. This dichotomy between the sport’s inherent strategy and spectator demand for outright aggression poses a unique challenge for boxers like Moton, striving for recognition in a sport where subtlety often goes unappreciated.

Also Read: Boxing Updates: Floyd Mayweather’s Protégé, Curmel Moton Announces Next Fight Date

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Are we, as fans, ready to embrace the nuanced ‘chess’ matches that define the sweet science, or do we cling to the allure of raw power and aggression?

Watch this story: Five Fascinating Facts About Floyd Mayweather’s Protégé, Curmel Moton