Conditioning, Carpets, and Confidence: Meet Chris Galvadon

The state of Colorado has been home to several great boxers. Noted power puncher Ron Lyle grew up in Denver. The only person to win a gold medal at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in different events, 1920 light-heavyweight Gold medalist Eddie Eagan was also born in Denver. Then of course there is Jack Dempsey, the Manassa Mauler, who held the World Heavyweight Championship from 1919-1926 and was the first fighter to draw a $1 million live gate. More recently, Denver native, ‘Mile High’ Mike Alvarado has made a name for himself among boxing fans with some great action fights.

About two hundred miles north of Manassa, CO and seventy miles south of Denver is the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado; this is where featherweight prospect Chris Galvadon (6-0, 2 KO) puts in his work. Chris Galvadon, 23, who began boxing at age eleven was featured as one of Colorado boxing’s up-and-coming stars by the Colorado Post-Gazette as early as age thirteen. Do not let the impressive beginnings fool you, as ten years later Galvadon is doing anything but resting on his laurels. Galvadon enjoyed success at the national and regional Golden Gloves level and entered the professional ranks with an impressive amateur record of 88-16. “The pace is a little bit quicker and you feel the danger a lot more,” Galvadon said when asked about the difference between his nineteen rounds of pro experience and his 104 amateur bouts.

Growing up Galvadon was a fan of Roy Jones Jr. and Mike Tyson and “the way they fought with aggressiveness, but did not back down”. With fast hands and a splendidly sharp left hook, Galvadon has the tools to fight with a similarly aggressive style, or simply use his amateur experience to outbox his opponent. To his credit Galvadon seems content with either an aggressive knockout or a decision victory, as long as his hand is raised. “I try to get the W, no ifs ands or buts.” So far there have been no ifs ands, or buts for the undefeated prospect, as in Galvadon’s four fights that went the distance, he easily outpointed his four overmatched competitors.

Sometimes you hear the cliché “a working-class fighter” and it is hard not to bristle. To call a guy who has a contract with HBO or Showtime a working-class fighter is patently ridiculous. But Chris Galvadon truly embodies a working-class fighter. When he is not training at the gym, Chris works on the side laying carpet for Dependable and Professional Carpet Care, where he has been for two years. He says that he “repairs carpets and does it all”.

The flooring of Chris Galvadon’s stable is very solid, as it is led by his father and manager, Carlos Galvadon. Chris is definitely pleased with the current arraignment. When asked how it was having his father as his manager Chris replied, “Oh, it’s the best. We have a real good relationship and we both live and breathe boxing.” The two focus on getting Chris into great cardiovascular shape and having great conditioning so he can last through all the rounds, with Chris getting in a run every day. At this time, at One Springs Youth Boxing Club in Colorado Springs, the younger Galvadon is working on his head and body movement in addition to going for more body shots in training.

The next time Chris Galvadon will be in action is on August 1st, when Galvadon Promotions will present ‘Colorado Springs Throwdown III’ at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs where Galvadon will face an opponent yet to be determined. Also headlining that card will be super middleweight prospect Izzak Cardona (13-2, 13 KO), who like Galvadon graduated from Sierra High School in Colorado Springs. Cardona and Galvadon have been training together “forever” says Galvadon, who also said Cardona has given him some good advice that has stuck with him throughout the years.

So what does the future hold for Chris Galvadon? Between fights, Chris has a walking around weight of about 128 to 130 pounds so he sees himself staying at featherweight for the near future, and potentially moving up to 140 pounds in a couple of years. In addition while his first seven professional bouts have taken place in Colorado, Galvadon appears content letting his management and boxing do the talking in terms of branching out. “Obviously it would be a great opportunity to fight outside of Colorado, but I’m going to rely on my dad to help make that decision when it comes time.”

Time can seem like it moves slowly day-by-day and quickly year-to-year, especially in boxing. But as the days pass by and he keeps plugging away, time seems to be the only obstacle standing in front of Chris Galvadon and his ascent up boxing’s professional ranks.

(For more information on ‘Colorado Springs Throwdown III’ on August 1 at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, contact Galvadon Promotions at 719-217-2275).