A young local boxer who aspires to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world is one step closer to his ultimate dream after knocking out the competition and clinching title honours at the provincial amateur boxing championships last month (April).
Cameron Tyler, a 29-year-old amateur heavyweight boxer from Somerset West, represented the Cape Winelands boxing organisation at the Western Province Amateur Boxing Championships held in Hermanus on Saturday 29 April. The amateur boxer has an undefeated record after trumping the heavyweight champion of the Cape Metropolitan District in the final, winning the championship and claiming his provincial boxing colours.
Tyler will continue to fly both the basin and province’s flag as his stellar achievement has earned him the opportunity to compete in the national championships to be held in July. Should he prove victorious in the anticipated face-off between all champions of other respective provinces he will clinch the title of South African Heavyweight Champion as well as his Springbok colours.
“This is an exciting journey,” said Tyler, who strives to represent his country on the biggest platform and inspire other aspiring young boxers to chase their big dream with hard work and determination.
“I hope to come back to Somerset West with the title honours and trophy and make my family, my team, my province and my town proud of me for what I have achieved. I am hoping for high level competition at SA’s, where I can really exhibit my skill, tenacity and heart and walk away feeling proud of myself for my performance. My goal is to win. It is always to win.”
The youngster stumbled into the sport as a competitive body builder who, during a quick trip to the mall for weights to keep up with home training during pandemic-induced lockdowns in 2020, could find only boxing equipment, which he purchased.
“I spent time on YouTube and taught myself to box with helpful video tutorials. When lockdown finished and the gyms opened up I didn’t return to my normal health and fitness club but rather joined a boxing gym, where I fell in-love with the sport,” he recalled.
The Body Elite Boxing Gym member began to see progress quickly, and with his potential recognised by a coach he knuckled down and trained hard in hopes of achieving greater heights.
Tyler’s “walk-around weight” is usually between 94 and 96 kg. However, for the specific weight division he competes in, he is required to weigh-in under 92 kg on the day before the fight – which he achieves with a strict diet and cardio-intense training regime.
Asked what his pre-fight mantra or routine is, Tyler shared focusing on staying as calm as possible for as long as possible, beginning his warm-up routine only 30 minutes before the fight (because all the hard work has already taken place during training), going over his game plan and finally a prayer by a teammate for safety, clarity in the ring and strength. “It’s always scary walking to the ring, but once I am in that ring and the bell goes to begin the round, all the nerves fade away and it’s time for battle. I try to follow through on the words of my coach, ‘Champ, hit first and hit hard!’ which resounds in my head.”
For Tyler boxing connects with him as a person because of his extreme competitiveness, athletic ability, and tendency to not shy away from confrontation or a challenge. “It’s just how I have always been. I have always wanted to be the best in whatever it is that I do and after just six months in boxing I was told that I have the makings and the talent to become a world champion. Once I heard those words, it’s been full steam ahead,” he related.
However, the sport has also taught him discipline, consistency and accountability. “To excel in boxing you cannot have a ‘one day on, one day off’ attitude. It’s a daily routine, it’s a priority. You have to take the time to train for at least two hours, twice a day. It has also taught me to be courageous and venture outside my comfort zone, where no growth is possible.”
Tyler draws inspiration from his encouraging and positive team mates and coach, as well as other boxing role models like Kevin Lerena, Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao.
While the youngster currently works as manager of a health-and-fitness store in Stellenbosch he does plan on obtaining his professional boxing licence and going pro as of February next year.
Until then, he will be racking up as many amateur fights as possible to get as much ring experience as he possibly can.
“It takes a village to raise a child, and it definitely takes a team to raise a boxer. Thank you to my team at the gym for pushing me to my limits every session; my coach, Nicholas Jonker for the vast knowledge he bestows upon me in upskilling me to be a better boxer; BetOlimp who supports my journey financially; and Sci-Core who fuels me with the best supplements.”
“Somerset West, you can follow me on Instagram @cameron_chaos_tyler to watch all my preparations. Back your boytjie, I will make you all proud!”
