The Boxing Grind

Chasing The Next Fight

A kid who once fought on a blanket is now 15–0 with 11 knockouts, and he’s aiming his sights at the top of 115–118. We sit down with a New Mexico fan favorite Matt Griego AKA Diamond Boy who blends power and patience, talks candidly about a derailed fight week that sent him spiraling, and explains how the gym became his medicine. From first-round fireworks on his pro debut to a steady refusal to accept short-notice traps, he breaks down what real preparation looks like and why the right camp changes everything. We dig into the business side of boxing—managers, matchmaking, and the quiet calculus promoters use to protect prospects. He shares why he keeps getting last-minute calls for the same opponent and how staying near fight weight keeps him ready without burning him out. The call-out is clear: John “Scrappy” Ramirez of Golden Boy. Respect for the fighter, zero doubt about the matchup, and a simple request for a full camp to make the best fight possible. Mentorship matters here too. Training with the late Johnny Tapia added rhythm, shifting, and heart to his style, along with a personal story of generosity that still fuels him. Outside the ring, the barber chair became a second platform—steady income, local roots, and a community that shows up loud. If you’re curious about how a contender navigates the chaos of boxing while building a life that lasts, this conversation brings grit, insight, and a path forward. Subscribe for more stories from inside the fight game, share this with a friend who loves real boxing talk, and drop a review to tell us who you want to see him face next. The Boxing Grind

From Mayweather Gym To Zuffa: How An 100-Fight Amateur Became A Pro Problem

A phone call with a rising contender turns into a masterclass on how to build a career the right way. Robert Merriweather III opens up about the Zuffa signing, the full camp behind his latest win, and the viral moment that had a mouthpiece flying while he stayed locked in. From early days roaming the Mayweather gym to a 100-fight amateur slate, he explains how timing, patience, and ring IQ became his edge—and why composure under bright lights isn’t an accident. We dig into the details fans care about: how far out he knew about the fight, what a real pro camp looks like at his age, and the habits he picked up watching elite preparation up close. He talks through the mechanics of his style—clean head movement, sharp entries, selective volume—and why his Philly roll is more than a look. It’s integrated with footwork, counter triggers, and the kind of defensive awareness that keeps offense alive. If you’ve wondered what separates a highlight from a skill set that scales, this conversation lays it out. Looking ahead, he’s eyeing March for the next date, with names like Curmel Moton in the mix and a long-term vision that points toward champions such as O’Shaquie Foster. We explore the dynamics of fighting friends, managing expectations, and staying grounded when opportunities arrive fast. The throughline is simple: preparation meets opportunity, and the work shows. If you love smart pressure, calm execution, and prospects with real ceilings, you’ll want to follow Robert’s next move. If this conversation hits your boxing brain the way it hit ours, subscribe, share with a fight friend, and leave a quick review telling us who you want to see Merriweather face next. The Boxing Grind

From East St. Louis To The Ring

A train ride out of East St. Louis becomes the first step in a fighter’s rebirth. Trevion Boyd arrives in Albuquerque with little more than a blessing from his grandmother and the grit to start over. What he finds is a gym that takes pain off his shoulders and replaces it with focus, a team that raises his ceiling, and a path that turns a rough past into measurable wins—two New Mexico Golden Gloves titles and a growing presence at national tournaments. We dive into the moments that shaped him: the charge that derailed school, the judge who recognized a change of heart, the first amateur loss to a friend that became a blueprint for growth. Trevion opens up about judging politics in amateur boxing and the only answer that matters—execute so clearly that scorecards don’t decide your fate. He breaks down the Tulsa stoppage, the cost of not listening to your corner, and the mindset reset that now guides his prep for Colorado. Along the way, he talks about building with a respected Albuquerque coach, training around winners, and embracing the competitive pressure that forges pros. Threaded through it all is faith and family. His grandmother, Sandra Denise Johnson Byrd, remains the voice in his head and the standard he measures against. He wants a pro career not just for belts and lights, but to give back—choosing community over flash, purpose over hype, legacy over likes. We also trade takes on Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez, the surge of young talent, and what staying relevant really demands in modern boxing. If you’re chasing your own pivot—out of chaos, toward clarity—this story is fuel. If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a spark, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more people find stories that fight for something real. The Boxing Grind

He Chose Pink Hair So You’d Remember The Punch

Jayden Utarro, a teenager with pink hair won Golden Gloves in his very first boxing match and hasn’t lifted his foot off the gas since. We sit down for a candid look at how bullying sparked a turn to self-defense, how early kickboxing wins and losses shaped his composure, and why a shock debut victory became the fuel for an unforgiving training routine that starts before dawn. This is a story about ownership: of time, of identity, and of what it takes to stand out without losing yourself. We get into the nuts and bolts of his schedule: 2 a.m. alarms, strength and conditioning before most alarms ring, fast two-mile efforts that sharpen pace, and midweek sparring sessions where visiting hitters bring fresh looks. He breaks down how switching gyms gave him a multi-coach team with distinct roles, why footwork days are as valuable as heavy bag days, and how open-invite sparring keeps the ego in check. He also shares how his mom stepped into matchmaking, how teammates push him past his limits, and how sponsors help keep the lights on when travel and gear stack up. Identity and ambition run through every minute. The Pink Panther look isn’t a gimmick; it’s a flag you can see from the cheap seats. He talks about wearing local merch, choosing pink because no one else did, and staying open to causes that matter. We trade takes on favorite fighters like Sean O’Malley and Ryan Garcia, then wade into the sanctioning debate around Terence Crawford and what makes a champion beyond belts. School is online, college is a maybe, and the only certainty is the next round. If he could pick any spar, he’d choose Crawford, because the fastest way to learn is to step where the air is thin. If stories of grit, routine, and clear-eyed ambition move you, this one lands. Hit follow, share it with a friend who loves combat sports, and leave a review telling us which fighter you’d choose for a dream spar and why. The Boxing Grind

How daddy told me I was going to be the next Barbara Walters

A little side note to the audience The Boxing Grind