There is an inherent duality in the persona of most prizefighters. After all, boxing, by nature, is a contradiction of societal norms. Engage in a fistfight in public and you are more than likely looking at an arrest. Lace up some gloves and engage in fisticuffs within the boarders of a squared ring and you can get a paycheck. For someone to willingly risk their health by engaging in an activity that most rational people would avoid like the plague takes a complex individual.
Heavyweight prospect Ashanti Jordan embodies such duality; it is evident from the moment you speak with him. For all the intimidation that can radiate from a man standing six-foot-three, Jordan possesses a stoic peacefulness in his mannerisms. Quiet and soft-spoken, when talking with Jordan, it is almost hard to imagine that he is a man who has rendered six of his seven opponents unfit to continue.
The Northern California Bay Area native admits that his foray into the sweet science was a bit later than most would recommend, but for Jordan, fighting was hereditary. "I got into boxing in 2002. I was 24," Jordan states in an interview with FightHype. "My grandfather was a professional fighter himself, so I kind of thought about it before."
Jordan took to the pugilistic arts like a duck takes to water. He wreaked havoc in the amateur ranks, winning the prestigious San Francisco Golden Gloves an impressive three times as well as taking the bronze medal in the National Golden Gloves Championships in both 2005 and 2006. "Yes, I did take to it really good," Jordan explain of his boxing prowess in what has to be a gross understatement. "I was a natural athlete basically so it didn't take me too long." With such impressive amateur credentials in tow, it was not long before Golden Boy Promotions came a knocking.
Since turning pro, Jordan has dominated your standard fare of record-building fighters in holding an unblemished record of 7-0 with 6 knockouts. This Saturday, Jordan takes a significant step up in competition when he faces fellow slugger Herman Binek at The Tank in San Jose, California. The Southern California based German sports an equally impressive record of 7-1 with six wins coming by way of knockout. Jordan seems unimpressed, citing that he will be too much for his opponent. "I just get in shape and get in there, feel him out and fight," Jordan explains. "I'm pretty sure he won't fight me like he fights the next person because I don't fight like the next person. It's going to be a chess game and I want to win."
Compounding issues is the fact that his fight with Binek will take place in front of Jordan's hometown fans, a first for Jordan in the paid ranks, but the Fairfield based father of two is adamant that there will be no added pressure for him to impress his fellow Bay Area residents. "Basically, I'm pretty good at staying relaxed and not over thinking situations. A lot of people think it's abnormal at how relaxed I can be," Jordan explains. "I'm not nervous. I just want to put on a good show and just get in there and make it happen."