Tristan HAMM: Facing Toughest Challenges & Influencer boxing

Former pipeline worker and outdoorsman Tristan HAMM is on a mission to make crossover boxing more mainstream. “Misfits is a promotional company owned by KSI, and what they’re doing is legitimizing crossover boxing,” Hamm told FightsATW. I know they have plans to start a pro division as well.

“It’s going to allow a lot of athletes to transition into boxing, build up their records, and get the experience right out of the gate. [On the professional side], guys have to build their records, which can lead to a bunch of padded records that don’t really mean anything.”

The 32-year-old is hopeful that engaging in difficult fights can erase some of the stigma of being an influencer boxer. He has the support of his trainer, former cruiserweight world title contender B.J. Flores, who notably trained Jake Paul for years before they parted ways last fall. FightsATW asked Hamm to explain the importance of having the wisdom of a seasoned professional fighter in his corner.

“The stigma behind [influencer boxing] is that a lot of people are a little bit behind the headlines. It’s definitely changing. As proven with B.J., he was one of the first people to actually take it seriously and see the truth behind it, so he has a lot of respect in the influencer and crossover boxing space. Things are changing.”

Renowned boxing trainer Pedro Diaz earned his stripes as part of the coaching staff for five Olympic games—four with Cuba and one with the Dominican Republic—before making his mark in the professional ranks. There, he has worked with seven world champions, including Miguel Cotto and Guillermo Rigondeaux, to name a few. According to Hamm, even Diaz is adjusting to the times. “Pedro Diaz is a very well-respected professional boxing coach. He has 21 world titles underneath him. Having these professional coaches understand that we [treat] every single one of these fights as a world title fight is very crucial.”

There have been several brutal mismatches on the Misfits stage recently, but Hamm said it’s not necessarily on the influencer in some cases.

“There are a lot of coaches who see it as some kids just playing around and goofing off,” Hamm stated. That is actually the problem. The coaches who aren’t taking it seriously are letting guys go on a stage as big as Misfits in front of thousands of people watching, and some kids are performing poorly because they [are not prepared].”

Hamm (1-0, 1 KO) will have a chance to prove his mettle at MF & DAZN: X Series 15, where he’ll collide against former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell (1-1) in the opening quarterfinal of the MFB Cruiserweight Title Tournament, on May 25 at NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. “Getting tackled in football is different than getting punched in the face or the body,” Hamm said of Bell. “You have to be tough, and those guys grew up getting slammed by these fuc**** massive dudes. That’s the only way to really put it.

“I asked my team, ‘Who’s the toughest guy and the biggest threat in the entire cruiserweight division other than Jake Paul, KSI, and Tommy Fury?’ And it 100% without a doubt is Le’Veon Bell.”

Hamm implied that the genesis of his crossover boxing trajectory has been more difficult than Paul’s. “Jake Paul’s first professional fight was against a YouTuber [Ali Eson Gib]. Then he fought Nate Robinson, who’s an NBA guy. NBA guys aren’t getting tackled. Then he fought Ben Askren, an MMA guy who came in overweight. Then he fought Tyrone Woodley, who was his first real test.

“The difference between Jake’s trajectory and mine is that in my second fight, I’m going against an NFL running back who’s extremely athletic and extremely tough but has also been fighting in boxing for four years. Tyrone Woodley wasn’t a boxer. Tyrone Woodley would have trouble in a ring with Le’Veon Bell, so this guy really is the toughest guy in the crossover boxing division. It’s gonna be a challenge for sure. I genuinely believe I’m gonna win.”

Hamm believes Bell’s footwork will be one of the puzzles he’ll have to solve on fight night, but also noted that Bell hasn’t fought in over a year. Hamm, who hails from Canada, made his pro debut on January 20, when he scored a first-round knockout of Logan Paul doppelgänger Rodney Peterson at First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. That said, Hamm will theoretically enter the ring as the younger, fresher fighter on May 25.

“The last fight he had was over a year ago; I’m sure he’s improved since then, but I think the guy that he faced [JMX] didn’t really give him a lot of trouble. He was uncoordinated. It’s just a totally different fight than what he’s going to have with me.

“At the end of the day, my team is the best in the world, and we’re gonna be able to crack the plan that’s gonna for sure give Bell some serious trouble no matter what he comes forward with.”

Ryan O'Hara

Ryan O’Hara is an award-winning sportswriter based in Denver, Colorado. The 30-year-old has been recognized by the Boxing Writers Association of America three times for his accomplishments, with a best finish of 2nd at the 2022 awards ceremony.

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