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Add FightsATW on GoogleWho would have thought that a 20-year-old would turn a life hardship into a hard-hitting boxing career while carrying the name “Moo”?
Meet welterweight Tyreem Haywood. A 20-year-old from Philadelphia with a perfect record of 8-0 (8 KOs).
This Saturday, he puts that record on the line against a solid veteran, Abram Martinez (12-3-1, 10 KOs), at the 2300 Arena in Philly. The card will stream for free on Rising Star Promotions’ YouTube page starting at 7 PM EST/ 4 PM PST.
“My main goal is to keep fighting and keep winning,” Haywood told FightsATW.com. “I’m just worried about knocking these jokers out, one by one, like bowling pins.”
Haywood has taken an Edgar Berlanga approach to his boxing development. All of his fights have ended in the first round, but it was his power in the amateur ranks that earned him his nickname. As a child, Haywood always had a family nickname of “Moo Moo.”
“One of my coaches, Marquis, trains Steven Williams, a popular heavyweight in Philly. I fought in a tournament; I think I put somebody out,” Haywood said. “I am going to start calling you Moo Banga, and I just ran with it.”
Currently, he is being trained by his father, Damon Allen Sr. If that name sounds familiar, you might know Haywood’s older brother, Damon Allen Jr., a former Golden Boy Promotions fighter who finished his career with a record of 16-2-1, 5 KOs.
“It taught me a lot as far as the business side and the fighting side,” Haywood said of his brother’s pro career. “It is a gift having a big brother who used to be a pro boxer.”
Yet, despite coming from a boxing family, things weren’t always easy.
Haywood was essentially adopted by his aunt and his uncle—his words, not mine. Haywood would witness many traumatic events, but the one constant was boxing and football. Over time, football faded into the background, and boxing took center stage.
“I grew up very hard,” Haywood said. “I was a bad kid. I was to the point where a lot of people didn’t think I would turn out to be the way I am now.”
Martinez is a bit different. A Las Vegas gym veteran, he has a 12-3-1 record (10 KOs) that doesn’t paint a clear picture. Martinez knocked out Ruben Rodriguez in a battle of unbeaten fighters. Rodriguez had hype at the time but was never heard from after that loss. Martinez, 31, took the school of hard knocks. He got a draw with Luis Arcon in 2020. In 2022, he returned and was stopped by Orestes Velazquez. In a perceived bounce-back fight, he would love to beat an unheralded Mexican fighter. In October, Martinez saw a three-fight win streak snapped when 4-7 Samir Cuentas won a split decision against him.
“I just think I am on a different level,” Haywood said. “I am young, but I have been around the game for a long time.”
Sure, Martinez is trending in the wrong direction, but he is a fighter who has trained alongside Rolando Romero and has 60 rounds of pro experience. Compare that to Haywood, who has only eight rounds of experience so far. It is an impressive vote of confidence in oneself that Haywood shows, one I wish I saw in more fighters.
“No risk, no reward,” Haywood said. “We will see if he really is who they say he is, because I know who I am.”
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