By Duncan Johnstone
A chance meeting with Muhammad Ali set Jason Pettaway on a boxing path that has led him all the way to South Auckland.
The 34-year-old American takes on unbeaten Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker in Manukau next Thursday night in a fight he believes will define his future.
His first taste of boxing came via a youth programme in West Virginia that saw him attend a 1991 Golden Gloves contest. Ali was there and happy to oblige the fascinated 10-year-old Pettaway.
"I got to have my picture taken with him and I fell in love with the sport there and then. Two days later I found a gym and went at it," Pettaway said, still in almost disbelief that he actually got to meet the biggest name in the game.
Pettaway has fashioned an 17-1 record as a pro, his 10 years in the money ranks coming after an extensive amateur background that saw him win the 2002 American East Coast regionals and reach the quarterfinals of the 2004 Olympic trials.
He has ring craft that will surely test Parker, particularly his ability to work angles and employ a hit and run style.
These days Pettaway owns a barber shop in Ohio as a way of supplementing his fight dreams. He and his partner have a baby girl and he's motivated to make the most of an opportunity he believes could map out his future in the ring.
"This is the most focused I've been. I eat, sleep and breathe boxing. I've had two years of good training. I feel I'm at the peak of my career. I've beaten some undefeated fighters and some journeymen as well. I feel this is perfect timing for me."
Pettaway's one loss came against Russian Magomed Abdusalamov in the grand surroundings of New York's Madison Square Garden via a fourth-round TKO in 2012. He admits the occasion got to him.
"I got caught up in the moment. It was a good experience for me. Ever since that fight it's been about redemption for me," he said, adding Parker has "more to lose and I have everything to gain".
