FIGHT TALK WITH YOUR BOY THE WHATS NEXT KID Ray Wheeler interview

FIGHT TALK WITH YOUR BOY THE WHATS NEXT KID Ray Wheeler interview covered a 17-year-old boxer's plan to gain amateur experience before turning pro, his call for scrutiny of boxing judges and his enthusiasm for women's boxing. He also told Wheeler how interviews with fighters including Mike Tyson and Vinny Paz have become part of his work outside the ring.

How did the What's Next Kid get his name, and when does he want to turn pro?

Coach K, a former coach in New York, gave the What's Next Kid his name. At 17, the boxer wants to build up his amateur experience before turning professional. He described himself as being on a fast track once he is in shape, but said that does not mean rushing into a pro debut.

Learning the reasons behind Coach K's drills

Coach K stood out to him because the coach taught the science behind each exercise. Rather than simply assigning a drill, he explained why the boxer was doing it and gave him a story to help make sense of it. The nickname came from that period of training, though he did not give a complete account of the moment Coach K chose it.

Getting amateur fights before a professional debut

His immediate goal is to get as many amateur fights as he can while learning from them. He said a move to the professional ranks should come only after taking the time to gain experience and choose the right fights. He did not set a date for turning pro.

What did the What's Next Kid say about boxing judges and close decisions?

The What's Next Kid said a narrow result is not automatically a robbery, even when the decision goes against him. He drew that distinction from his own second fight, then argued that the judging of Brittany Eagle Flex Sims against Sharon Mae Patricio in Texas deserved scrutiny. He believes decisions of that kind can damage fighters' careers.

Accepting the result of his second fight

His second bout went to the other boxer, but he considered it close enough to go either way. He said that result was not a robbery. That experience shapes how he talks about disputed decisions: he wants to separate a fight with reasonable room for disagreement from one he believes was judged badly.

The Brittany Eagle Flex Sims and Sharon Mae Patricio fight

Having interviewed both fighters, he watched their bout in Texas and felt Sims was denied a World Boxing Association championship she had earned. His criticism was directed at the decision, not Patricio. He said he had also posted his concerns about the judges on Instagram.

He made his position on accountability clear:

we need to start investigating these judges who do this type of thing because it is ruining fighters careers out there

For a boxer who hopes to compete professionally, the issue is personal as well as something he follows through his media work. He said seeing decisions he considers unfair has made him think about what judging could mean for his own future.

What is the What's Next Kid working on in boxing, and which fighters does he watch?

The What's Next Kid said footwork, head movement, counterpunching and fundamentals are priorities in his training. He believes he already has power, but wants to improve the skills that help him use it. Although he considers his style his own, he sometimes tries another fighter's moves in sparring and regularly watches Micky Ward.

Footwork and listening to a coach

He stressed that a boxer has to take in a coach's instructions and use them. In amateur bouts, he has noticed that some fighters lack good footwork, while those who move well often dominate. That observation is one reason he puts footwork high on his list of things to improve.

Micky Ward and his pre-fight movie routine

Ward is one of his favorite fighters to watch. He has met and interviewed him, keeps a poster of him and watches The Fighter the day before every bout. He described that movie as his one fixed pre-fight routine, though he may watch other boxing films too.

Those include Bleed for This, about Vinny Paz, whom he has also interviewed, and the Rocky films. He particularly likes Rocky IV. Recalling a bout against a Russian boxer, he said his opponent had the better skills, but that he kept pressing after losing the first round and took over in the second and third.

How did the What's Next Kid build a boxing media career?

The What's Next Kid began making videos despite being shy and has since interviewed fighters and figures across boxing. His list includes Mike Tyson, Carlos Adamis, Vinny Paz, Bobby Chaz and Nikisa. He sees those conversations and his visits to fight cards as experience he can keep building alongside his own boxing.

From a first video to fighter interviews

He remembers sounding unusually serious in his first video because he had not done that kind of work before. Repetition has made him more comfortable speaking on camera and approaching people in the sport. He also told Wheeler that he had asked Jake Paul two questions and was waiting to see whether a promised podcast appearance would happen.

Seeking work with Most Valuable Promotions

He would like a job with Most Valuable Promotions. He said he had met its staff, found them respectful and admired how efficiently they worked. He enjoys attending its fight cards, but his interest extends beyond one company: he also praised Matchroom Boxing USA LLC and spoke favorably about other promotions. His broader wish is straightforward—he wants the best boxers to fight one another.

What did the What's Next Kid say about women's boxing and Most Valuable Promotions?

The What's Next Kid said women's boxing deserves more attention and pointed to a Most Valuable Promotions card in Texas as an example of why. He found every fight engaging, including bouts with knockouts, and said he was reluctant to leave his seat even to do interviews. He also enjoys women's MMA.

Watching the Texas fight card

The card's sustained action made an impression on him. He encouraged people who doubt the quality of women's boxing to attend a women's fight card and judge the bouts for themselves. His interest was not limited to one matchup: he said the full Texas card held his attention.

That enthusiasm also explains why his criticism of the Sims–Patricio decision was so pointed. He had followed both fighters as an interviewer and viewed their championship bout as an important moment for Sims. He wants strong performances on women's cards to receive attention without, in his view, being overshadowed by disputed judging.

What happened when the What's Next Kid approached Alicia Baumgardner in Texas?

The What's Next Kid said Alicia Baumgardner declined an interview when he approached her at the Texas Most Valuable Promotions card. He connected the encounter to an earlier interaction at a New York post-fight press conference that had upset him. Despite criticizing how she treated him, he praised her ability as a boxer.

Following up after New York

He said he had messaged Baumgardner's manager about the New York encounter before seeing her in Texas. When he first asked Baumgardner for an interview there, he said she told him they would do it later. He approached her again while security staff surrounded her and said she declined.

He described the response as disappointing and offered his own critical view of her manner. He was equally direct about her boxing: he praised her skills, head movement and right hand. His account kept the unsuccessful interview request separate from his assessment of what she can do in the ring.

Who is FIGHT TALK WITH YOUR BOY THE WHATS NEXT KID?

FIGHT TALK WITH YOUR BOY THE WHATS NEXT KID is a podcast interviewer who speaks with combat sports fighters. He invites fighters to book through millions.co or contact him on Instagram at thewhatsnextkid.