Ace Adam is using lockdown as a chance for self-progression, says Anish Parekh
By British Boxing News Writer, Anish Parekh
“People have said to me that I must be disappointed but I’m not really,” said the 26 year old unbeaten pro. “I did a full camp, learned a lot and can take that experience forward.”
These are unquestionably testing times for everyone but despite having his fight cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Catford-based super-middleweight, Ace Adam (1-0, 1KO) remains optimistic and is using this time as a chance for self-improvement, with his ultimate ambition in mind to help and inspire others.
Now, with the country on a government enforced lock-down, the undefeated Ace has a chance to emulate his favourite superhero's methods so that he can come back stronger when the time is right.
“I’ll be like Batman! When he gets beaten up by his enemies, he goes back to his bat cave and plans out how he can become successful against them next time,” he enthused. “That’s what I’m going to do!”
Trained by his long-term coach, Eyez, at Sting ABC in Croydon, ‘Lightning’ Ace didn't start boxing until he was 17 following an attempted mugging on the streets near his home. Despite the late start, Ace is blessed with speed, power and athleticism, but since his professional debut last year he has been focusing on enhancing his mental-strength and mindset.
“I was quite nervous before my debut and it took me a bit of time to relax and do what I do in the gym,” he said earnestly. “Boxing is a thinking man’s sport and the mental side is so important. I’ve seen Lomachenko juggling and doing the Rubik’s Cube, so I’ve started to do the same to improve my concentration and coordination.”
Although he openly admits to feeling nervous on his pro bow, the former ABA finalist still scored a third-round TKO against Enfield’s Guycha Muele (0-2) on November 29 at the York Hall in Bethnal Green on a Hellraiser Promotions show.
Leading up to his postponed bout, which was due to take place on March 21 in Harrow, Adam – who had been a pescatarian since 2016 – decided to adopt a fully plant-based diet upon seeing the Netflix documentary, 'Game Changers' – a film about athletes that have achieved success after giving up meat and dairy products.
“When I saw it, it made me want to do more research into the benefits of a plant-based diet,” he says. “I’ve been performing better on my runs and in the gym ever since. I feel better than ever.”
Since altering his diet, Meatless Farm, a vegan food brand, has decided to join forces with the former ABA finalist as he embarks on his pro-boxing journey, “They’re a great company with some great products, I’m just grateful to be in a position to work with them,” he said excitedly.
Managed by London promoter Mickey Helliet, Ace works full-time as a care supervisor for the elderly and, whilst reaching the upper echelons in the boxing world is a burning ambition of his, it is his desire to help and inspire others that keeps his fire for success red-hot.
This was best demonstrated last Christmas Eve, when he collected as many unused belongings from his house, placed them in a bag and drove around his local area to hand them to the homeless people that he found living on the streets.
“I’m not a materialistic person. My mum always taught me that manners, politeness and helping others is important and that’s what I love to do,” he encouraged.
A quote by the late American rapper, Nipsey Hussle, whose selfless community work is part of his lasting legacy, is something that left a strong impression on Ace, “‘The highest human act is to inspire’, and that something that I want to live by.”
The juxtaposition of being an altruistic, community-serving gentleman, whilst aiming to do obliterate opponents in the ring is something that Adam recognises. However, by trawling through the depths of rich boxing history, ‘Lightning’ quickly discovered that boxing has provided the ideal platform in the past to be able to affect the lives of other people, positively. He built up a big boxing following by winning all six fights in the respected Queensbury Boxing League, whilst winning the national light-heavyweight title.
“Boxing is amazing, we have had inspirational people like Jack Johnson, Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali that achieved great things in the ring but they also transcended the sport,” he enthused, professing his knowledge on these great boxers and renowned civil rights figures.
“Ali used boxing as a way to reach out to people, and, because of his impact, more opportunities were afforded to people, who otherwise would never have had them.”
The super-middleweight prospect knows that boxing is booming and if his punching career begins to flourish, it could be highly lucrative for him… and his community.
“You look at Anthony Joshua and the millions he’s earned from boxing, he shows what can be done. I know boxing isn’t a long career, so I want to be smart, make good money and invest it well.
“I also want to give back to inspire people from my community and show them that with structure, discipline and dedication, you can achieve what you want, whether that be in sport or business or anything,” he assured passionately.
It is clear that the that the community has a special place in his heart and, because of that affinity, Adam wants to be at the heart of developing his community, once he fulfills his dreams of becoming a boxing champion.
#BeKind was recently ubiquitous on social media, but the good intentions of that trending hashtag has been usurped by videos and images of aggressive shoppers, snapping and snarling at others as they rushed to the supermarkets to stockpile on supplies, leaving many of the underprivileged to struggle and suffer during these unprecedented times.
Family man, Ace ‘Lightning’ Adam’s approach to life is a perfect tonic to the poisonously selfish acts that we have seen from some people lately. In this generation, where fame and riches inflate the egos of even the most obscure of celebrities, Adam is self-aware rather than self-obsessed. His drive to better himself, whether that be his mental-strength or diet, is all towards fulfilling a plan that goes beyond boxing success.
The South Londoner is utilising boxing as his vehicle, whereby titles and fortune might be part of his journey, but ultimately inspiring and improving the lives of people in his community is his destination.
“After I become champion, I want to build a community centre in Catford,” he declared. “A place where the elderly can get support and where the youth can put their energy into something positive,” he envisioned humbly.
To follow Ace Adams on Twitter, click here @officialaceadams
HÖRFA are proud sponsors of British Boxing News