This week, the St Helens local and St Helens High School graduate will step into the ring to make his professional boxing debut. Some people think the journey to becoming a professional is a lifelong journey, but Haydn Allen only started boxing three years ago, but he’s ready for the next step.
Allen, who competes in the Arena Wars Fighting Series, will compete in his first professional bout on April 20th at Campy Withycombe, 15300 SE Industrial Way, Happy Valley, Oregon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 7 a.m.afternoon
The Chronicle & Chief sat down with Allen one-on-one to get a better understanding of his approach, how he got into boxing, and his mentality when taking his first professional shot.
“When you go into a game, you have to be prepared, but you have to keep your head down. You have to stay calm,” Allen said. “Some people fight with anger, quickness, etc. But for me? I like to be like water. Like Bruce Lee. You have to stay calm in a fight and what happens is… There are possibilities, so we have to keep it flowing.”
Allen grew up in St. Helens and played at St. Helens High School as a three-sport athlete in baseball, wrestling, and football. Although he always loved track and field, he realized that he liked individual sports the most. Allen likes chess, and wrestling or boxing makes him feel like a “king on the board,” he said.
Allen wrestled in college at St. Mary’s University and Oregon State University before switching to boxing in 2021.
“I fell in love with it,” Allen said. She has only been with the company for three years, but she has done a lot in those three years. ”
Allen said it was easy to get into boxing because it involves physical and mental competition. Allen said wrestling and boxing training were similar, but boxing brought a “different dimension.”
“It made me use my head more. Boxing is like a fast-paced game of bullet chess. You really have to think on the fly. Every reaction and every ability you have. We have to take advantage of it,” Allen said. “I feel like it really brought out the best in me.”
The sport required Allen to move, react and use his brain. After getting started, Allen caught the bug and said he became “addicted to learning.” Allen trained alone for a year. One of his inspirations was actually an anime show called Hajime no Ippo, which is a boxing-themed manga series. The influence of this show can still be seen on Allen’s social media. He refers to himself as Haydn “Ippo” Allen in some promotional posts.
Allen started with kickboxing and has a record of 2 wins, 0 losses, and 2 KOs. Allen competed in several unofficial fighting events before deciding to see how far he could take his newfound passion.
Allen began looking for a boxing gym in the United States to begin training. He began training at Ramos Boxing in Albany. Allen wanted to go to the national tournament, so he worked with his coaches to make that happen. Allen said that over two months he played against nine opponents and won 8 wins and 1 loss. He qualified for the national tournament in his first year and competed in the United States Boxing Championships in December 2021.
Allen lost in the semifinals that year to “the No. 2 guy in the country,” and finished the year ranked No. 6 in the country. Just after the first year.
Building up to this moment
After a successful first season, Allen said he wanted to make boxing “his dream.” Over the past two years, Allen has developed to the brink of making his pro debut.
Since that first year, Allen said he has fought 50 amateur fights and has a record of 41 wins and 9 losses. Although seven of Allen’s seven losses came by split decision, he said he learned from his other two losses.
“This includes all of my amateur experience,” Allen said. “That includes MMA. At FCFF, I am 1-0 in winning MMA titles. I am 2-0 in kickboxing and 46-9 in boxing.”
Allen said his honors include two-time Golden Gloves state champion, one-time regional Golden Gloves champion and former No. 2 boxer in the USA Boxing rankings.
Allen said he has become a “nomad” of sorts, seeking out gyms and instructors throughout Oregon to hone his skills. Gyms include Toe 2 Toe, American Top Team, Fisticuffs Gym, and Impact Jiu Jitsu. Allen currently sparrs and trains with other professionals at gyms such as American Top Team, Sonrise Boxing, and Fisticuffs. Allen also trains at Pacific Athletic Club (PAC) in Columbia City, where he has attended since he was 15 years old. Allen said they are actually sponsoring his game this weekend.
“I’m really just training everywhere because the Oregon boxing program opened up to me and let me train. They give me advice and I’m really learning from everyone. ” Allen said. “That’s why I love it. They accept me and teach me. All I want to do is keep learning and keep getting better.”
Allen said he does something every day to prepare and train. Even when she’s not doing things at the gym or with her partner, she’s watching movies, applying ice to sore spots, taking advantage of the sauna, and tracking her meals. Preparation is a complete routine.
Most people who make their professional debut have spent their entire lives building up to that moment. Allen has made this leap in just her three years. Allen told his coach Victor Morales that he was ready to make the leap as a professional, and Morales agreed.
Leading up to the game, Allen has been working with his team to prepare for the big game. Allen said his preparation is a combination of anticipating what his opponent will do while focusing on his own style.
Win or lose, Allen said his first fight will be a landmark one in his boxing career, saying he goes into it with an open mind and is ready to learn from the experience. .
Mr. Allen thanked the PAC for its support and sponsorship. Allen also noted the role the community has played in his life.
“I grew up in a great community,” Allen said. She said: “The St Helens community feels like family every time I go home.”
Allen will bring that support to the ring when he makes his debut this Saturday.
