By Declan Taylor
For over ten years, a barber named Curtis from Utah took a courageous step by relocating to Las Vegas with the intention of shaping his six-year-old son into a global champion.
It becomes even more astonishing, given that at the time, a child named Curmel Moton had never stepped foot inside a boxing gym.
“I believe I did some training back at the house,” Moton shares with Boxing News. “I had done mittwork and other exercises, but I had never witnessed a gym in Utah.”
I originated from there, but at the age of six, I relocated to Vegas with the purpose of pursuing a boxing career. My father, driven by his desire for me to become a boxer, made the decision to move us to Vegas from Utah, recognizing that the boxing opportunities were limited there. He guided me to a gym, where my passion for boxing blossomed. Determined to make this dream a reality, he dedicated our lives to building our future centered around the sport.
At just 17 years old, Moton has quickly risen as one of the most promising talents in the global boxing scene. Under the guidance of Floyd Mayweather, he has become Mayweather’s newest protege. With an impressive record of 2-0, both victories achieved via first-round knockouts, Moton is set to make his boxing comeback this weekend in 2024. He will be showcasing his skills on the undercard of the highly anticipated Tim Tszyu versus Sebastian Fundora bout.
Before his September debut, Moton and his mentor garnered attention by claiming they were capable of fighting and defeating Leigh Wood, who was a reigning world champion in the featherweight division. However, Wood held a different opinion on the matter.
However, Moton firmly asserts that it was not mere bravado fabricated to create a stir. His encounters with formidable opponents such as Gervonta Davis, Robeisy Ramirez, and Shakur Stevenson have convinced him that he is already connected with the top contenders in the division.
“This is really all I know,” Moton adds. “I have always felt comfortable in the gym. If I miss a day training, I won’t feel right. It has been like that since the very beginning. I’ve always wanted to do it and make it my life.”
He was not even 10 when he first went to the famed Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas, initially just to observe the owner training. Before too long, Moton was also going there to work.
“I was initially just an observer,” he states. “However, on a day when he was absent, I decided to return and engage in sparring matches with a few of the smaller individuals he had in the facility. I managed to overpower them, causing them to cry and experience discomfort.”
Once during a sparring session, I managed to overpower my opponent to the point where he became emotional and refused to participate in the next round. It was necessary to contact Floyd, who advised and encouraged the individual to continue fighting.
At the age of around 10, Floyd must have wondered who this young child was that had managed to bring everyone to tears. However, as I started training there more consistently, my strong work ethic allowed me to seamlessly fit in with the rest of the group.
“All the pros started noticing me, noticing my skills. I became cool with everybody real quick and they probably spoke to Floyd and put the word out there. Everybody tells Floyd what is going on in the gym, even if he’s not there.”
Never one to miss out on the next big thing, the 50-0 icon quickly made Moton his business.
Moton recalls, “When I saw him again, Floyd recognized me. I was in awe. At that time, he was already in conversation with my dad, showing interest in supporting me and assisting me in participating in tournaments. Ever since that moment, Floyd has been sponsoring and supporting me.”
Many individuals fail to recognize the significant expenses associated with participating in amateur tournaments. From purchasing plane tickets to booking hotels and covering daily meals, the costs can quickly accumulate. Fortunately, my father was tirelessly working to support me, and the sponsorship from Floyd Mayweather certainly provided invaluable assistance.
In the subsequent years, Moton established himself as a highly skilled teenager in the world of amateur boxing. According to Boxrec, his unpaid record stands at an impressive 61-3. However, it is highly probable that his actual record surpasses those numbers, considering the significant period he spent away from the ring right when his talents were starting to blossom.
He explains that despite staying extremely busy with regular tournament fights, the pace never seemed to ease up. However, when I was 13 and 14 years old, I had to take a break from competing due to an arm injury. As soon as my arm healed and I began training again, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, effectively halting all activities. Nevertheless, I had to remain dedicated to my training by staying in the gym and continuing to work hard.
“It was an incredibly strange sensation, having it abruptly snatched away from me. However, this incident served as a powerful motivation to remain dedicated to my gym routine, with the goal of returning even stronger. The atmosphere in Vegas was completely lifeless; the bustling downtown and Strip were eerily deserted, resembling a haunting ghost town.”
After his return, the situation took a serious turn. A call from Davis’ team presented an opportunity to spar with the world champion from Baltimore, who Mayweather himself had mentored and promoted, showcasing his exceptional skills.
Moton recalls sparring with Tank when he was around 15 or 16 years old. They hit the gym during some late night hours, adding excitement to the experience. Moton felt prepared to face Tank and discovered that while Tank had an advantage in strength, Moton held his own in terms of skill and speed. The spar was a thrilling exchange, and Moton enjoyed himself while also gaining valuable lessons.
“They reached out to me, fully aware of my capabilities. Although I experienced a slight nervousness, I felt prepared. Confidence in my skills never wavered, eliminating any fear. That day, we engaged in four intense rounds. He was only a week away from his match against Isaac Cruz, while I had a tournament of my own. Coincidentally, I also faced a southpaw opponent during the tournament, making it ideal sparring for me.”
Moton and Davis, both aligned with Mayweather, have been extensively compared due to their similar loyalties, physical presence, and fighting techniques. And now, the young fighter is already envisioning not just replicating but surpassing the accomplishments of the left-handed boxing legend.
Moton confidently declares, “My ultimate goal is to achieve the status of an undisputed four-weight world champion.” With unwavering determination, he explains, “Right after my debut, I swiftly knocked out my opponent in the very first round. Floyd Mayweather personally visited my locker room to express his pride and assure me that together, we will strive to become the absolute best.”
“He possesses such invaluable experience as he truly understands the challenges I face. Unlike most other promoters who have never stepped into the ring themselves, merely exploiting the fighters, Floyd is the complete opposite. He genuinely aims to assist us. I firmly believe that Floyd has my utmost welfare in mind. If there’s anyone who can lead me to triumph, it’s him.”
As of now, it seems that Curtis’ decision is potentially yielding positive results.
Curmel Moton
