Amateur boxer and freshman business administration major, Steve Geffrard wants to make it to the top rung of the boxing ring. He’s well on his way to getting there.
Geffrard became interested in boxing at the Police Athletic League when he was 13.
“I was going to play football and one of my friends told me I should go the PAL to lift weights,” he said. “I was curious so I went to the boxing area and started jumping rope and I just fell in love with the sport.”
Geffrard has been named Male Athlete of the Year by USA Boxing. He said some of the boxers who have won the title in the past were Olympians so he was proud to receive the award. “It was a blessing for me,” he said. “And it’s an invitation for me to work harder.”
He has also been named boxer of the year by UntilTheNextRound.com. In 2010, he won the USA Boxing National Championships. He also won the 2010 National Golden Gloves Championships and the 2010 National PAL Championship. A triple crown, Geffard has won three national championships. He is the first in his weight class to become a triple crown in amateur boxing history.
Geffrard is now aspiring to go to the 2012 Olympics.
“It’s something I’ve been working for ever since I won my first national championship when I was 14,” he said. “I’m going in a number one team for USA for the 2011 Olympic Trials, so it should be pretty exciting.”
Questions and Answers with Steve Geffrard
In movie about your life, which actor would play you?
“Maybe Will Smith because he’s been in boxing movies before.”
What is your favorite post-workout meal?
“Steak — New York strip and chops.”
What is your workout schedule like?
“When I’m really getting ready for a big fight, I’ll go to the Institute of Human Performance in the morning for an hour to do my strength conditioning workout. In the middle of the day, I’ll do my regular boxing workout for about an hour and half or two hours. Then I’ll go to the gym later in the evening for a sparring session.”
What three items would you bring with you to a deserted island?
“I’d bring my iPad if it works out there. I’d bring my running shoes and maybe water.”
What’s your favorite boxing movie?
“‘Cinderella Man.’ That’s a great movie.”
What are some of the biggest myths about boxing?
“Most people think that boxers have a bad image like Mike Tyson or that boxing is a violent sport. Most of us boxers are really gentle and normal people. We’re not violent or have any type of anger. We just do this for fun or for a living.”
What would you say is the secret to success?
“You have to work harder than your opponent. You have to put in the work.”
What’s the best part of a boxing match?
“When they raise your hand at the end.”
Do you have any favorite boxers?
“I like Manny Pacquiao. This past summer, I was able to go to Dallas and watch him fight Antonio Margarito.”
What do you think is the secret of a boxing champion?
“You have to put in hard work, but boxing is 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental. It’s very important to be mentally strong.”
