A father’s goal to impact others through boxing
Michael Miles credits his boxing success to coaches he’s said are like father figures, including guys like John James and James Hoy.
Miles also credits the sport of boxing for being something he and his daughter, Aaliyah, have been able to bond over.
A homegrown boxer who trains at Steel City Boxing with James, Miles lives in Butler with Aaliyah. His recent boxing success has made him an inspirational figure to some local youths.
Miles’ daughter is a student at Broad Street Elementary School, where she has been lauded by principal Vanessa Boyd for being a great fatherly figure that always looks out for her classmates.
Seeing how it can impact people, boxing has also inspired Miles’ dream of creating a safe space for children around Butler to learn the art of boxing.
“My goal is to start a nonprofit one day, have my own gym and get youth involved in boxing. I’m working right now with a trainer, James Hoy with Team 412 Boxing, teaching kids. It’s a sport that has valuable lessons, in and out of the ring,” Miles previously told the Butler Eagle.
Up to this point, Miles is 10-1 in his amateur boxing career. His accolades include being crowned the Pennsylvania state heavyweight novice champion in April. In the past couple months, he also won the Western Pa. Golden Gloves title in Pittsburgh, as well as winning the Carolina Gloves title in February in Jacksonville, N.C.
Miles visited Broad Street Elementary after he came out on top in Philadelphia, clinching the Pennsylvania state heavyweight title. He said students wanting to meet him and getting excited about him having boxing success, has impacted him.
“One student asked about what all went down, the fight in Philadelphia. He wanted to see the belt, get a picture. He said ‘I’ve seen you in the newspaper, you’re that boxing guy. That’s so cool. It’s awesome to meet you.’ That was really cool,” Miles said.
This added to Miles’ drive to want to give back to his community, which he credits for always being there for him.
To be a coach, Miles said, is to take time out of your day and volunteer to help others learn and practice. The coaches he’s had, he said, have made him want to do the same.
“Those coaches that have been like father figures, that I could go to them and ask questions. They’ve taken time out of their day,” Miles said. “Coaching is a lot of volunteering and they’re taking time out of their day. So if these dudes can do it, I can.”
But the person who has impacted his drive to influence others through boxing, he said, has been Aaliyah.
“I love the fact that boxing has brought me and my daughter closer. She comes to a lot of my events. We’ll hop on the bus and go to the gym and train. She’s only 6 but she’s taken a liking to boxing,” Miles said. “She’s super excited. And my daughter’s enjoying the sport. I don’t want to force it on her, but I think she’s also enjoying it because I enjoy it.”
When Miles spoke to the Butler Eagle, he was preparing to go to Las Vegas for USA boxing nationals, which begin Saturday, June 14, the weekend of Father’s Day.
“I’ve been super nervous but very excited. To see other talent out there, and to listen to the coaches on how to just keep getting better — that’s how I’ve been getting ready,” Miles said.
