In the ian Jeffery The Boxing Circle interview, the Brooklyn heavyweight told The Boxing Circle that fighting at the Mike Tyson Invitational confirmed he belongs in boxing. He wants to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and said he has dropped from more than 300 pounds to 250 while preparing for what comes next.

Why did ian Jeffery start boxing in Brooklyn?

ian Jeffery said his interest in fighting began while growing up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where he enjoyed slap boxing and watched kung fu movies. He got into fighting in 2020 and had his first boxing match in 2021, after gaining the independence to pursue martial arts training.

As a bigger kid than those around him, Jeffery said he often found himself in physical altercations. Slap boxing was something he gravitated toward, but his interest in martial arts also came from what he watched at home. He recalled spending hours watching kung fu movies with his mother after church.

Jeffery said he did not know much about boxing when he was younger. As he got older, he began looking for a way to train. He later named Jackie Chan among the figures he watched and said that his appreciation for martial arts still shapes how he thinks about boxing.

What did ian Jeffery say about the Mike Tyson Invitational?

ian Jeffery said his invitation to the Mike Tyson Invitational felt surreal, especially because he considers himself early in his boxing career. Once there, asking questions of Mike Tyson, Nick Cannon and Katie Taylor, facing his opponent and fighting under the lights made the event feel real to him.

Arriving at the Mike Tyson Invitational

Jeffery said he had seen the event before but had not looked closely into it. At first, he found it difficult to believe he had been selected. The scale of the occasion made parts of it feel like a blur, though he remembers beginning to take it in as he moved through the event.

One detail he appreciated was the reversible boxing uniform provided to the fighters: a tank and trunks that could be worn in red or blue. He also remembered the questions he was able to ask and the stare-down before the fight.

Finding focus in the ring

Before the opening exchanges, Jeffery said he had to relax and settle into his boxing. After the first punches, he felt sharper and more focused. He could see the camera moving above the ring and was aware of the production around him, but said fighting there reinforced the importance of taking bouts and gaining amateur experience.

Jeffery described the conclusion he drew from that moment in simple terms:

I am where I'm supposed to be.

How does ian Jeffery plan to reach the 2028 Olympics?

ian Jeffery wants to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and identified December nationals as his next planned competition. Beyond the amateur ranks, he said his long-term goal is to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. He sees more fights against strong opponents as preparation for eventually turning professional.

For nationals, Jeffery said he plans to train harder, spar, watch film and study. He described amateur boxing as a chance to fight as often as possible and build experience that will carry over when he turns pro.

His championship ambition is tied to his home borough. Jeffery wants to become what he called the next great Brooklyn heavyweight, but spoke about that as an end goal rather than an immediate step. For now, his focus is on the work and competitions ahead of him.

What did ian Jeffery say about boxing training and weight loss?

ian Jeffery said he went from more than 300 pounds to 250 pounds in about six months and now feels better and faster. He connected that change to a broader commitment to boxing: organizing his eating, making sacrifices and paying attention to improvements that help him train and fight.

The weight change came up as Jeffery discussed preparations for nationals and the 2028 Olympics. He said he intends to keep training, sparring and studying rather than treat reaching 250 pounds as the end of the process.

He also described the smaller choices as important to his performance. Seeing how changes to his routine affect the way he feels has encouraged him to stay focused and continue the habits he has built.

How did Buffalo State shape ian Jeffery’s boxing routine?

ian Jeffery said balancing boxing with college at Buffalo State changed how he manages his time and makes decisions. He did not box during his freshman year, but boxed from his sophomore year through graduation, won the Buffalo Golden Gloves and graduated from Buffalo State in 2025.

With midterms, finals and projects alongside training and fights, Jeffery said he could not always go to parties. He had to organize his time and decide what needed to come first. Being away from his gym and coaches made that period a particular test.

Jeffery credits those demands with shaping how he carries himself day to day. He said making transitions now feels easier because he learned to finish tasks early and make deliberate choices while handling school and boxing at once.

Why does ian Jeffery listen to Michael Jackson before training?

ian Jeffery chose Michael Jackson’s “Almost There” as the one song he would use to get ready for workouts. He said its message about being close to a goal helps him push through periods when he is tired, reluctant to go to the gym or working through a demanding camp.

For Jeffery, the song offers more than an energetic start to a session. He connects it to the effort required when progress feels close but continuing to train is difficult. He said it helps him keep working so he can grow as a fighter in the gym.

Near the end of the conversation, he recommended the song to people dealing with struggles of their own. His advice was to give themselves time and be patient, reflecting the same approach he described in his boxing plans.

What did ian Jeffery say about his Hellgate Boxing coaches?

ian Jeffery credited Hellgate Boxing and coach Eric, coach Joey and coach Do for teaching him to study boxing closely. He said their enthusiasm for breaking down fights matches the appreciation for martial arts that first drew him toward combat sports, and that meeting coach Eric was pivotal for him.

Jeffery described the coaches as people with whom he can discuss boxing and life. He values their ability to analyze fights in detail and said he has learned a great deal from being around them.

He also thanked Mike Tyson and the team behind the Invitational for the opportunity. Interested in cameras and video work himself, Jeffery said seeing the event come together added to his appreciation of it. He said he is grateful to be pursuing boxing in what he considers the best shape of his life.

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ian Jeffery The Boxing Circle interview on 2028...