By: Brandon Ortega
To many athletes sports are not simply a game, they are a way of dealing with the harsh realities of life. Many athletes including boxers have changed their life for the better by getting involved in their sport and working hard to accomplish their biggest goals. In many instances boxing gyms keep kids off the streets, out of gangs, out of drugs and out of trouble. For Brandon Buchanon this story hits close to home, Buchanon began an interest in fighting long ago, he said, “His family has always had an interest in the sport.” At the age of about 14 he would fight kids from around the neighborhood. Eventually he found his way from neighborhood fights to the boxing gym. After a few amateur fights he stopped boxing. Years later at the age of 23 Buchanon was getting into the dangerous world of drugs, he quickly realized his life was going downhill and if he did not change his way of life then he would end up in jail or possibly even worse he could be dead.
Looking to live the right lifestyle Brandon returned to the gym this time with goals in mind. There was a strong desire to become a professional fighter, and on March 26, 2005 he accomplished this when he stepped into the ring with Joe Cruz. With little amateur experience Buchanon has had to learn lessons quickly on the job, being in tremendous conditioning shape he implemented a brawl now box later mentality in an attempt to wear opposition down. So far his record stand at 6 wins 7 losses and 1 draw. However, if you ask Buchanon himself he acknowledges two losses claiming the others fell as losses due the political game of the sport. After a win against Terry Butterbaugh on July 10, 2008 Buchanon retired from the sport of boxing.
Many boxers who have a love for the sport have a tough time leaving it all behind. This is why Buchanon has returned to the boxing gym yet again. This time his goal is to find out what is left, leave everything he has left in boxing inside the ring. For so long Buchanon never used his boxing intelligence to his full advantage, this time around he plans to fight with his head and heart. The goal now is to get back into fighting condition and to possibly get a tune-up fight within the next two months at or around the 154 mark where he feels most comfortable for the moment. With work and family life now, finding time for the gym is a little harder, but a final go around in the sport is what is in Buchanon’s heart. When he steps back into the ring to find out what he has left, the opponent better believe that he is going to get everything Buchanon has to offer and he is willing to leave it all on the line for one last chance at boxing glory.
