Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why And How Former Cruiserweight Boxer Phil Williams of Northside Boxing Club Is Helping To Change Our World
An Interview With Edward Sylvan
I make sure I give back to the community and the kids. Boxing allows me to share my life story with others. Exactly what we’re doing at the Northside Boxing Club. I’m able to provide an inclusive, family environment through the principles I learned in boxing.
As a part of our series about sports stars who are making a social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Phil “the Drill” Williams.
Phil “the Drill” Williams, is a retired professional cruiserweight boxer with a 15–8–2 record. He is credited with the fastest, officially recorded, knockout in boxing history after knocking out Brandon burke in 1.5 seconds back in 2009. Williams was born in Queens, New York City. He moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a child, and still lives in Minneapolis where he works as a barber. He is also a long-time coach at Northside Boxing Club in North Minneapolis, which non-profit boxing gym, that provides boxing classes, on-site tutoring, and a nutritious meal every weekday evening for community members ages 9–21.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the “backstory” that led you to your career path in professional sports?
Growing up poor, the thing to do to get attention in the neighborhood was fighting, so I fought a lot. I didn’t have nice clothes or a stable home and those are things you get made fun of for. When I was young my buddy, Q-Ball, would drive me around and we decided to search for a boxing gym. That’s when I found Glovers Boxing Gym. From there my amateur career started, and then I went pro.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that occurred to you in the course of your career? What were the lessons or takeaways that you took out of that story?
My third fight I had the fastest knockout in boxing history. It was 8 seconds. The guy I fought came out in comic stripe pattern drawers. He was talking a lot of stuff at the weigh-in. After the fight, the guy kept asking me what had happened. The lesson was, don’t talk a big game if you can’t back up.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
Make sure you dedicate yourself and go as hard as you can. This sport is short-lived. The time comes and goes. You’re also going to have to make more sacrifices than you ever made but it will prepare you for later in life.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about what it is like being a professional sports player?
There is nothing easy about being a sports professional. There really isn’t anything glamorous about it, and it can also at times be the most depressing part of your life. And people think you automatically become rich when you go pro.
Ok super. Let’s now move to the main part of our discussion. How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you are working on right now?
I make sure I give back to the community and the kids. Boxing allows me to share my life story with others. Exactly what we’re doing at the Northside Boxing Club. I’m able to provide an inclusive, family environment through the principles I learned in boxing.
What methods are you using to most effectively share your cause with the world?
Word of mouth. I’m not really a social media guy. People often share their experiences and interactions with me, with others.
Can you share with us the story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
I was one of the kids that was in need of what we’re providing at the Northside Boxing Club. If there had been a “me” in my life when I was young, showing love and support, I’m not sure what path that would have led me down.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
My son, Abdul. He was abandoned by his mom. He came back and not only found me but built up a boxing community family for himself.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Just two things: It will all pass within a blink of an eye and you can never train enough.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I am doing this with the D.R.I.L.L. movement. This is my big movement — making a real difference in the individual lives of the young people in the inner city.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
“You’re only going to get out what you put in.” The more you give to others, the greater the return. My life and the opportunities I’ve had — I’ve experienced no limits living by this principle. It also just feels good, being able to give.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Politics, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
Mike Tyson. I feel like Mike is someone who would understand me and where I’ve been. I think he, more than anyone, would understand what boxing has meant to me.
How can our readers follow you online?
You have to experience us in person. That’s how we build a safe, loving community. Come down to the Northside Boxing Club! If you can’t visit the club in person but still want to help out, you can purchase a pair of Drills boxing gloves which are now available on Amazon, Target and Walmart website.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
Sports Stars Making a Social Impact: Why And How Former Cruiserweight Boxer Phil Williams of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.