Not all boxers with the physical gifts required to be a champion make it to championship level, though. Nor do they all even turn out to be memorable fighters.
It started with a severe case of COVID in early 2020 that forced postponement of a bout with Samuel Vargas. He was fortunate to find a sparring partner who also had COVID and couldn't get around people, so they worked together. It was something, but it certainly wasn't the kind of preparation he wanted — or needed — to face a world champion.
After Hooker, he had a series of fights postposed, but he kept working because he said it's his job to stay ready and he didn't know when the fights would be scheduled. He wasn't feeling great, and he and his team wondered if he was having conditioning problems, so he pushed even harder.Cleveland Clinic said that elevated CK levels
That's pretty sobering news for a professional athlete who was 24 years old at the time to hear, particularly one who had always been so diligent about remaining in shape.