From the bottom to boxing superstardom

Boxing superstars seem to have it all, but they didn’t achieve their success overnight. Chicago’s Chris Ousley is one of many trying to realize a dream.

Boxing is a sport on the outside looking in. Its biggest stars, like Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez, are household names, but there are many champions unknown to the average sports fan. Beyond the titleholders, there are thousands of up-and-comers dreaming of the day that they might headline a title fight in Las Vegas. Undefeated super welterweight Chris Ousley (6-0, 5 KOs) is no different.

Boxing writers and television programs laud the greatest fighters and their journeys from the bottom to the top. Most boxing greats’ paths follow a similar archetype. They usually come from low-income level families and struggle through the obstacles of poverty. Along the way, they find themselves in a boxing gym and learn that they have powers greatly exceeding those of the average athlete.

Some boxers develop a pedigree that makes their trip to championship status easily foreseeable. They might win international amateur titles or compete in the Olympics and medal. For everyone else, they have to grind through a hard life of obscurity hoping that their hard work will pay off. Sometimes they make it and sometimes they don’t. People don’t hear their stories unless they’ve conquered the sport.

Ousley, also known by his nickname “Milly,” grew up in Chicago’s south side and endured a violent environment. The Chicago Tribune recently profiled his story. Fortunately, his mother moved their family to Madison, Wisconsin, where he escaped the snares that ruin the lives of so many youths. He found success as a collegiate football player and graduated with a business degree. Ousley’s boxing story deviates from the typical trope because he subverted the dangers of the street and obtained and education.

Ousley didn’t enter the boxing gym at a young age because he was bullied. Uncharacteristic of most boxers, he first took up boxing at 20 years old. The fight scene in Las Vegas is how the sweet science seduced Ousley.

More from Boxing

“What really appealed to me about the boxing world was my wife and I, at the time we were in college, and we took a trip out to Vegas,” Ousley said. “I think it was either when Floyd [Mayweather Jr.] was fighting Canelo [Alvarez], or he was getting ready to fight [Robert] Guerrero.”

Ousley added, “I saw the posters, the whole scene of Vegas and that was my first time ever being in Vegas. That was my first time ever being in an area where boxing was huge. The whole lights, the posters, the excitement leading up to it — that’s what brought me into boxing.”

The grandeur of boxing at its highest level caught Ousley’s heart and imagination; it just happened later in life. Many start boxing training with high hopes of becoming a professional, but very few ever progress that far.

The amateur circuit is hard to navigate. It’s a proving ground for wannabe boxers that possesses no glamor. Amateur fighters aren’t paid and often fight in front of sparse crowds in dingy locations. Only people that truly love the sport are willing to face the rigors of amateur boxing, and there’s no guarantee that they’ll succeed.

Ousley connected with former Olympic boxing trainer Bob Lynch. He proved to be a fast learner as he excelled through the amateur ranks.

“When I was an amateur I qualified for the U.S. Olympic team trials,” Ousley said. “That’s what got me ranked in the top.”

Ousley won numerous amateur titles and fought nearly 80 bouts, losing only six and all to national champions. He registered over 40 knockouts, which is remarkably high for amateurs.

Considering Ousley’s amateur success, it would be easy to imagine him receiving lucrative offers from some of boxing’s biggest promotional companies, but it’s not that simple. Boxing promoters like Golden Boy, Top Rank and Matchroom want one of two things: a boxer who’s gained international intrigue by winning a world amateur title or an Olympic medal, or a young professional who’s a proven quantity. Ousley’s working on the second piece of criteria, but it’s the harder road to travel.

Ousley’s professional record is impressive, but he has fought his entire two-year career without a promoter and manager. Ousley has been approached by both, but not the big names that he sees benefiting his career.

“I’ve been approached by maybe four to five managers and let’s say three to four promoters,” Ousley said. “The promotional companies haven’t been anybody we’re really interested in, or they haven’t come to us with a legit deal that’s going to help me and my family.”

It’s not easy doing it alone. Ousley continued, “Some of the difficulties is [sic] people taking you seriously. They don’t look at a fighter as a businessman. They just look at you as a fighter.”

The majority of young, budding professional boxers who aren’t signed to a significant promoter can’t afford to train full time. They rely on full-time jobs for income and train on the side. Fortunately, Ousley’s fortunate to have a support network that allows him to be a full-time fighter.

Photo credit: Luke Galle /

“I’m fighting full time,” Ousley said. “Most boxers at this point aren’t usually as blessed as I am to be able to fight full time. Right now with my team and everything that we have set up with my wife and my team, I’m able to fight full time.”

Ousley’s trainer is Nate Jones, who’s famous in the boxing world. Jones was a former Olympic bronze medalist and had a successful professional boxing career. He’s close friends with Floyd Mayweather and acts as his assistant trainer.

Ousley points to Jones and the rest of his team as the reason he’s able to carry on without a promoter and manager. Ousley explained:

"As a professional, you need to have at least three solid people behind you that’s going to take care of you. You have to have a cutman, an assistant coach, and a head trainer. Me having all three is what puts me above everyone else right now as an up and coming fighter."

Ousley is young, intelligent, ambitious and has legitimate boxing ability. He believes it’s just a matter of time before he lands a contract with an established promoter who can guide him toward a world title.

“They [major promoters] don’t want to let the little guys in, but eventually, they’re not going to have a choice but to let little guys like me in the door,” Ousley said.

dark. Next. No one needs Mayweather-Pacquiao 2

Ousley knows what he needs to do to reach the next level. If he keeps fighting and winning, a promotional contract comes next. His professional career is in the early stages, but he fights on in search of his ultimate dream. Ousley’s journey is symbolic of the boxer’s struggle to make it in the cruelest sport. It’s an upward march for Ousley and the many other pugilists like him, but a select few hold the fortitude to battle inside the ring and out. Time will tell if Ousley’s journey transpires into a legend all his own.

Home/Boxing

From the bottom to boxing superstardom — Chris Ousley’s journey

By Jeremy Herriges | Sep 21, 2018

Boxing superstars seem to have it all, but they didn’t achieve their success overnight. Chicago’s Chris Ousley is one of many trying to realize a dream.