The middleweight division is going through a transition as the current champions are inactive and getting older while contemplating a move up to super middleweight, which leaves the contenders patiently waiting for their shot. One of those middleweight contenders is 30-year-old Ian Green (19-2, 12 KOs), ranked number three in the WBA. While Green waits for his promoter, Don King, to guide him to a world title shot, the mayor of Paterson, NJ will honor him at his home with a Key to the City on Tuesday morning. It is an honor that Green is excited about as it keeps him on the path of not only being a name in his own city but also someone who is building his resume for a world-title opportunity.
“Only In America”
While Don King isn’t every fighter’s first choice when looking for a promoter, in the summer of 2022, he was the one who gave Green the attention he earned as a fighter. “Before I signed with Don King, I was a free agent,” said Green. “I didn’t have a manager or promoter, so I was taking B-side fights. I fought on ESPN on a Top Rank card in November (2021) before I started with Don King. After that fight, I thought the phones would ring, and I could go back to fight on Top Rank, but nothing transpired.”
Green continued, “Don King had a matchmaker named Henry. He just passed recently, but Henry is from Georgia, and he met my mom before she passed. When he met my mom, she told him about me, how I’m a great fighter, etc. A couple of years later, they (Don King Productions) were looking for a middleweight to fight their middleweight. Henry thought about me and remembered the conversation he had with my mom. One thing led to another: they removed my opponent and made me the A-side. He told me, ‘Look, I can get you ranked, take you to a world title, and you won’t have to take B-side fights anymore.’ At the time, I didn’t have any other offers and it just felt it felt right being there (Don King Productions).
Not Getting Caught Up In Today’s Social Media World
After signing with King, Green has gone (4-0) as he works his way up the rankings. One of those fights recently occurred in June when he earned a unanimous decision over Roy Barringer (10-4, 6 KOs). Green has put everything he has experienced to good use while not getting caught up with trying to be someone he is not. Green isn’t flashy and trying to portray someone he is not on social media. He prefers to save and invest his money wisely so he doesn’t have to keep a full-time job while being an active fighter.
“You got to learn how to say no. That’s one thing I do know how to do. I know how to say no.” Green said about being pulled in different directions. “You have to manage your money the right way because just as quick as it comes is as quick as it goes. I’m just looking into small businesses to make money outside of boxing because, like I said, the pandemic happens; you never know what could happen, and we’re not NBA players where we’re making guaranteed millions. There are fighters as world champions that are in need. They’re messed up, so you have to really think smart. One bad fight could change everything.”
Key To The City
Green has a good head on his shoulders, and his career appears to be heading in the right direction for a prime opportunity at a title. While all that is happening for his boxing career, a personal moment is coming up on Tuesday, 11 am in Paterson, NJ, where he will be honored by receiving the Key to the City. It’s an honor that he will receive one day before the fifth anniversary of his mother’s death. This day will be extra special but emotional for him as his mother won’t be there to share that moment in person.
Although Green’s story is in-depth and will certainly play out as a documentary or short film in the future, he feels this is all just the beginning. “Me coming back from two early losses, not having a promoter, taking B-Side fights, and losing both my parents; I just feel like my story will help a lot of people. I just need people to pay attention.”
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