Welterweight Anthony “Juice” Young refuses to let a setback define him. Eighteen months after suffering a knockout loss to Alexis Rocha, Young (pictured, right, above with Rocha) is determined to show he’s still a player in the welterweight division.
On Saturday night, Young headlines a fight at ACX1 Studios in Atlantic City, a bout he hopes will kickstart his resurgence.
Young, 36, enters the ring with a record of 23-3 (8 KOs) and will face Windry Amadis Martinez, 31, of the Dominican Republic, who holds a record of 10-2 (5 KOs). The fight, promoted by Danny “Swift” Garcia’s Swift Promotions, marks Young’s return to the spotlight and his bid to rebuild his path to contention.
“I’ve been in the gym, staying sharp,” Young said. “Losing to Rocha was tough, but it didn’t break me. If anything, it made me stronger—like a Super Saiyan.” Drawing from the anime Dragon Ball Z, Young compared his journey to characters who grow stronger through adversity.
Garcia, a former world champion, shares history with Young, who sparred in Garcia’s camps during his active years. “I’m pretty cool with Danny. I’ve been in a couple of his camps, and now he’s a promoter throwing shows down here,” Young said. “They needed a ticket-seller, so they called me.”
Young has his sights set on bigger fights despite the recent setback. He’s targeting matchups with WBC titleholder Mario Barrios and WBA champion Eimantas Stanionis, confident his best days lie ahead. However, he’s been selective about recent opportunities.
“I was offered the Jalil Hackett fight, but I didn’t like the money, so I turned it down,” Young said. “If you want me to fight somebody of that stature, much younger than me, I’ve got to be compensated.”
Training under head coach Julio Sanchez, who was in his corner for the Rocha fight, Young feels prepared for Saturday.
“I want a dominant performance—clean boxing, smart strategy—against somebody who really shouldn’t be in there with me,” Young said.
Looking to the future, Young is laser-focused. “Barrios, Stanionis—remember those names,” he said. “When I get my opportunity, I won’t miss it again.”
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