“I’m what they call a borderline narcissist. That’s why boxing is perfect for me”
Meet Gyasi.
“I’m originally from Brooklyn, but I moved a lot in my life. Charlotte is home for the time being, but it’s not home.”
What do you do in Charlotte? “Right now, I’m an amateur boxer. I’m currently in between employers. I’m going to leave this Saturday to move to California to pursue a career of professional boxing. Because I know, in order to take it to that next step, I need to be around a high level of competition.”
What advice would you give to your younger self? “I would tell my younger self to not bother with community college, as bad as it sounds, and to take all the money that you hoarded and go pursue your dreams… fight.”
So, get knowledge from the real world? “Yeah, that’s your real college. Like that gym, blood, sweat and tears — those are your real four years. Everyone has their own perspective you know what I mean? So, everyone is going to have their own experience. Everyone reacts to stimulus different. So therefore, everything is not for everyone.”
What does boxing mean to you? “I feel like it’s the challenge. I feel like I’ve played other sports… I’ve lost, I’ve had my ass kicked, you know what I mean? But, there’s nothing as personal and there’s no triumph that’s sweeter. To me, it’s just the sweetest victory you can taste.”
Seems like there’s a certain amount of truth to boxing… “Even in boxing, the better man doesn’t always win. Being able to push through that adversity, that physically adversity of getting beaten, that just makes it so sweet. Because you’re putting yourself through the worst.”
What is your biggest challenge right now? “Getting over my number one opponent and that’s myself. Injuries, bad eating habits, I’m still smoking… stuff like that. So I would say I’m my biggest challenge to be honest.”
Technical Notes: This photo was taken in natural light with a reflector.
Dan Russell-Pinson 