There was no stunner, no triumphant home return punctuated with a championship-belt trophy.

TJ WILSON

Wilson Stronger from Olympic Setback

Photo by Ray Bailey
(908) 753-9534

“For me, I don’t feel there’s a rush.  I’m going to be there.  There’s no way anybody is going to stop me from  going to the top, so whether it’s next year or three years from now you can look forward to hearing a lot about me.” 

TJ Wilson

The disappointment of losing a controversial decision and missing out on the Sydney Olympics didn’t turn TJ Wilson into a bitter, angry man with giant chip on his shoulder.  Instead, the former amateur heavyweight standout says that losing to eventual USA representative Calvin Brock in the Olympic trials was the turning point in his maturity and growth toward his ultimate goal: the heavyweight championship of the professional boxing world.

“In 2000, I won the US championships, but in the Olympic trials I lost a controversial decision to Calvin Brock.  There was no question as to who won the fight, with the raw scoring they did I won unanimously.  By computer I won 47-42, but the way they score, I lost 6-5.  That whole situation turned it all around for me in my career.  I learned that I can’t let anything bother me.  I can’t let anything get me down.  I can’t worry about what anyone brings to the table, all I can do is what I can do and not let anyone hold me back.”

Since then, Wilson has left the headgear behind and joined the professional ranks.  With well-known fight manager Nick Garone and powerhouse promoters Duva Boxing Promotions helping him navigate his career, he has amassed an impressive record of 6-0 (5).  The Tulsa, Oklahoma resident said the decision to turn was an easy one considering his impressive list of accomplishments and the time involved with waiting for a shot at the next Olympics.  “There was nothing else I could have done as an amateur other than win the worlds or go to the Olympics.  2000 was “do-or-die” for me,” he said.  “Besides the last Olympics, I was at the Olympic trials in Oakland in 96.  Throughout my amateur career, I was always in the number one, or number two spot.  I won the Eastern Trials in 96 and 2000.  In 97, 98, and 99, I was the runner-up in the US Championships, and in 2000 I won them.  I competed in the world championships in Budapest, Hungary.  I also competed against Ireland, Korea, Italy, France, and Mexico.  I was turning pro either way, there was no way I was going to sit around for another four years and wait.”

“I made my debut on November 25, of 2000 in Patterson, NJ (TKO 1 Orion Sistrunk).  I met with Nick and we talked about what I would need to get to the next level and he has been there for me.  He worked out a wonderful contract for me and I’m happy. (When I was an amateur) I had a pretty good situation with my job because they let me go away and do my fighting, but I never had enough time to train like I should have.  It was always two weeks to train and then go compete.  I was never in top condition.  With things the way they are now, I am at a more relaxed state and I can focus on what I need to do.  Around fight time, Nick flies me out to Jersey to train at the Red Brick Gym, or to Florida to train at the World Class Boxing Gym with Pat Burns.  I am in top condition now.  The only person who can stop me is me.  I don’t really see anybody who would beat me unless I didn’t do what I was supposed to do.”

Wilson claimed the added confidence from working with a trainer he respects and getting into excellent physical condition put to rest the doubts he would sometimes feel before big fights.  My trainer is Jose Rosario.  I’ve known him since the amateurs. I have a good feeling working with him.  He’s a good trainer and he’s teaching me a lot of things.  It takes a little more for me than a guy standing there saying do this and do that.  I can mimic someone better than be told what to do.  Jose shows me what to do and that is giving me better form. If you get beat you want to be beaten, you don’t want to lose to the fear of losing.  I used to be afraid to try.

Standing 6’6 and weighing in at around 245 lbs., the southpaw Wilson described his style as that of a chameleon in the ring.  “I’ll be whatever I need to be.  If I’m required to punch, I’m a puncher, but if I need to box that’s what I’ll do.  I can bang with the best of them and move with the smallest of the guys.  I’m pretty versatile.  Just depends who I’m fighting.  I’m quick for my size.  That’s how I got up to the Olympic trials in 96.  I really didn’t like to get hit, so I developed fast hands and very good movement.  After that, I started getting more comfortable with myself and trying new things, which is why I can move and box people and pick my fights.  I can also stand in there and punch too because I learned it all as an amateur.  I wouldn’t advise anybody to turn pro unless they’ve been an amateur with at least ten fights.”

Losing out on his dream of representing the USA has been a blessing in disguise for the giant prospect.  Perhaps a return engagement with Calvin Brock is a big fight for the future.  For now, Wilson seems confident that he is on the fast track to heavyweight glory.  “Everything happens for a reason and if I hadn’t suffered that loss and hadn’t been disappointed, I wouldn’t know how to recover back from it.  I won’t lose like that again.”