Last week we introduced you to WBU phenom Rock Blackwell who has been making noise in the boxing world. This week we continue our coverage of this exciting boxer on the rise and look at the additional exposure he has been receiving.
From his appearance on the red carpet last year at the 2015 ESPY Awards to his increased visibility nationally, Blackwell is on the path to superstar status. At the ESPY’s Blackwell rubbed elbows with the likes of ESPN First Take Host Cari Champion, 4 Time NBA Champion John Sally, Tiffney Cambridge from VH1 Reality Show, Marrying the Game and Destiny’s Child Michelle Williams.
His meteoric rise has caught the attention of Sports Rants and is gradually catching the attention of the sports media world as well. Just take a look at this video from 2015:
It’s clear that Blackwell is getting more and more buzz as he continues his in-ring success. Read our article on him from last week
Blackwell was born in 1986 in Baltimore, Maryland and was raised by his mother, Sandra. Considering the rough streets from which he grew up in, Blackwell had to learn fast how to defend himself and, more importantly, be able to fend for himself.
“Baltimore is a very dangerous city and we had very little money and resources, so growing up was pretty rough,” he recalls. “The only thing me and my family had was God, my dreams, each other, and our values.”
“Becoming a man without my father was by far the most challenging thing in the world. My mother did a fantastic job raising me and my brother, but when your father is absent, there’s a void there that Mom cannot fill. Kids need heroes and role models; it plays a huge role in who they ultimately become. Boxing provided those heroes for me, and I fell in love with becoming a champion.”
Blackwell has found success boxing around the world in countries like Spain and Great Britain and has climbed up rankings in the WBU, IBL and various other ranks. Blackwell has trained with Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Sr., and Freddy Roach.
Blackwell is one boxer in particular that we are going to be covering as he continues his ascension in the boxing ranks. Rockwell is sure to be a household name in the not-so-distant future.
