This is where Army veteran and Colorado boxer Marcus Dawkins (1-0 pro) will find himself Friday night November 8th as part of the historic 'Sundown Entertainment' boxing event, the first of it's type in the area.
The Florida native now calls Colorado Springs home after serving at Fort Carson as a soldier for the better part of his six year stint of service to our country.
Dawkins was a late bloomer to the sport, finding his passion for the "sweet science" before shipping out to the sands of Iraq where he would start to hone his skills in the ring.
And so would begin the long road to the bright lights of this coming Friday night.
"I was in the military and served six years. I was stationed here (Colorado) my last four. I laced up my first pair of gloves when I was old. It was right before I went to Iraq in 2003. I actually ended up having my first match there (Iraq).
"I came back from Iraq and we put on a small Army smoker and I won the 152lb division. After that, I put in my application for the 'All Army' team. I lost in the finals fighting at 141lbs which was a real hard weight for me to make.
"My amateur career wasn't too long, but I've been in there with a lot of solid guys and I think that's why my experience level is where it is."
With Brandon Ortega, Nick Thompson and their 'Sundown Entertainment' bringing boxing to the Springs, Dawkins can now fulfill his dream of getting to showcase his talents in front of his hometown fans.
"It feels good. I get a chance to show all my people down here what I got going. That all my hard work paid off. It feels great to be able to fight on my home turf. I'm going to have quite a few people there supporting me. I want to put on a good show."
Dawkins sees boxing on the rise as it continues to surge, with most true combat fans now having learned that MMA and boxing are totally different and separate sports that can both be enjoyed.
"I believe boxing is making a comeback. At one point, you had people leaning more towards MMA with boxing losing some of it's love but I think that was because none of the big names wanted to fight each other. The number one guy (contender) wouldn't fight number two.
"The champ wouldn't fight the number one contender, he would end up fighting the number three guy or number four. I think we're starting to get past that where boxers are now starting to look at it like 'we have to fight each other'."
As the conversation progressed, Dawkins shared what makes the fight game different from other sports in his eyes, and in essence, what draws him to it.
"I love boxing. You can play football and baseball, but you don't play boxing. It's a sport you have to be dedicated to. Anyone can fight and throw punches but to actually understand the game, you have to respect it (boxing) because if you don't, you can get hurt. I love the competitive side of it.
"Anyone with enough heart to get inside that ring has my respect. I would never disrespect another boxer when it comes right down to it because of the respect and love I have for the sport."
As for what he brings to the canvas, he likes to think of himself as a pugilist that is more than capable of changing it up if needed.
"I'm a defensive fighter that uses his defense to make his offense. I'm a good puncher with good hand speed and footwork. I do a little bit of everything. I can box well and if it comes down to it and I have to get down in there and fight, I can bend my knees and plug it out with them.
"I prefer to box though. The person trying to prove how tough they are is the one that isn't that smart. I don't need to prove how tough I am.
"All I need to do is win the fight."
And as the big night that his road of life has led him to fast approaches, there's only one thing on his mind
"I'm just ready to get in there and do what I know how to do."
Dawkins wanted to thank 'Altitude MMA & Boxing', Carlos Ibarra, Kareem Braithwate, all his Army cohorts, his friends and family and all of Colorado Springs.
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See you at the fights!
