Fight Night

As the ring of the opening bell resonated through the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, Jonte Willis strode to the center of the boxing ring, prepared to battle against two-time defending national champion Mike Wilson (Center Point, Oregon) for the United States super heavyweight title. At 5’11”, 205 pounds, Willis, though considerably smaller than his 6’3”, 230 pound opponent, fought toe to toe with Wilson, tying him on points after one round of action. Wilson, a ring tested and rugged warrior sporting a career record of 83 wins against 20 losses, crept out to a 10-7 second round lead before ultimately winning the contest on points by a score of 23-12.

Despite the loss, Willis (15-5) is currently ranked as the number two super heavyweight contender in the nation. Placing second in the nationals has advanced Willis onto the USA Boxing team where he will travel world wide competing against boxers from other countries. The impressive showing against Wilson has also elevated him as a strong contender to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympics to be held in China. Willis currently boxes in the 201-plus pound super heavyweight division.

Not bad for a young man from Carroll County, Tennessee.

Home.

Jonte Willis was born on October 18, 1983 in Memphis. Adopted at the age of four months by Weldon and Dorothy Willis of Huntingdon, he is the youngest of five brothers and five sisters. He said, “Being raised by my family seemed like it was meant to be.”

Willis credits his mother for helping to keep him focused, noting, “My mother played a vital role by encouraging me to do well in school and sports.”

Tragically, during the summer before the start of his senior year, Jonte’s father died. Sick herself, Dorothy continued to provide support and motivation to her son before her death a year and a half later in December of 2002.

A life-long resident of Huntingdon, Jonte attended Hollow Rock-Bruceton Special School District from kindergarten through 12th grade. While at Central High School, the athletically inclined Willis participated in football, baseball, and basketball. Excelling at his favorite sport of football, he helped lead his team by playing both offensively and defensively at linebacker and fullback.

Football Days

During his eighth grade year, Willis was selected captain of Central’s junior high football team. He was also selected captain of the high school team his senior year. He held the CHS record for career tackles (379) until the record was broken by former Tiger and current All-American Ole Miss Linebacker Patrick Willis. Willis was chosen honorable mention all-region his freshman year. He was selected to the All-Region first-team his sophomore, junior, and senior years. Jonte received the Unsung Hero Award during the football banquet his senior year.

Jonte works out under the direction of coach, Tom Mustin.

Looking back, Jonte recounted some of the most memorable moments of his football days at Central. “My most memorable moment happened in 1999 during the Huntingdon-Central football game. I still get a lot of flak from people about the opening kick-off hit.”

Willis unleashed a devastating tackle during the game’s opening kick-off that set the tone for Central’s convincing upset victory over the highly favored Mustangs.

“Another memory that comes to mind was when Tiger running back Adrian Jamison was hit hard in a game against U.S.J. in 2000. He came out for a break and coach Sturdivant asked, “Adrian—what’s wrong?” He replied, “Coach, I think I got shot!”

Graduating from Central in 2001, he received a football scholarship from Bethel College and red-shirted his freshman year as an inside linebacker.

Guiding Influence

Jonte’s inspiration to pursue boxing was sparked by watching his late uncle Arthur Joe Willis fight James Toney in a bout held in Memphis in 1989. Only six years old at the time, the event nonetheless proved to be pivotal to the young man. “That fight was huge. I thought it was so cool that my uncle was doing that,” he reflected.

Relocation and Redirection

Weeks after his mother’s death, Jonte visited his sister Cathy Jallo in Atlanta, Georgia. While working out in a local gym, he met a young lady by the name of Jennifer Madson from Tacoma, Washington, who was also in town visiting a friend. A special relationship developed between the two. Soon afterward, Willis relocated to Tacoma and enrolled in Tacoma Community College. Immediately, he began to scout the local colleges in hope of rekindling his football career.

Destiny Comes Knocking

In the fall of 2003, Jonte visited the Al Davies Boys and Girls Club, home to the Tacoma Boxing Club. The city, he discovered, was known for its reputation of producing top quality boxers. After speaking with club Coach Tom Mustin, Willis began training to become a boxer.

Regarding the sport, Willis stated, “I always wanted to learn how to box. I didn’t have the opportunity to box in Tennessee due to transportation issues. The nearest gym was over an hour away. I kept telling people in Tacoma that I wanted to look into boxing, and everyone kept telling me about Al Davies. So, one day I just walked in there—-and now, here I am.”

Putting On the Gloves

From the beginning, Willis was constantly chided by his coaches about his past pursuit of football. He said, “I got a lot of flak from my coaches and team about being a football player in a boxer’s world. My coaches would constantly tell me that the worlds just didn’t mix.” He continued, “Football was very hard on my body. Injuries to my shoulders slowed me down. Boxing, on the other hand, just seemed like the most natural thing for me.”

After one year of training, Willis made his boxing debut in October, 2004. His transition to the sport was rapid, as he evolved quickly into a serious fighter; going undefeated his first year in competition, compiling a record of 6-0. By his second year, Willis advanced all the way to the national competition in Colorado Springs, defeating three fighters before losing on points to defending champion Wilson.

At five foot, eleven inches tall and weighing two hundred twenty pounds, Willis realized early on that he would have to be the aggressor in the ring against taller, heavier opponents. “By my being smaller than some of my competitors, I have to be like Mike Tyson in there.”

Jonte added that he was presently seeking to improve his skills by listening more closely to instruction from his coaches and not hesitating to give his best. He also stated that he would stop taking opponents lightly and improve upon his speed, power and agility. “I’ve got to get in the best physical shape that I can,” he said.

Jonte Willis.

Coaches, teammates and Friends

Jonte is currently being trained by Tom Mustin, who coached the 2000 USA Olympic Boxing Team. Mustin said Willis is blessed with quick hands. Regarding Willis, he said, “He has good vision and can see punches coming so he can slip them. He can move.” He continued, “He has a great double punch--right hand to the body, behind the elbow and straight up the middle with his right. But most importantly for him is his use of the jab.”

Mustin elaborated on the progress and work yet to be done to improve the young fighter.

He said, “Being new to the game, he still has to focus on what we have to teach him and trust us that it will work. Even though he may see other boxers and admire their style, its important for him to stay focused on what we have been working on and follow through. The biggest thing is that he needs to switch his thought processes from his football days.”

Mustin said his relationship with Willis is solid. “He’s kind of like a son to me in some ways. He asks for my opinions, and we discuss everything. By e-mail or in person, we’re always in contact.”

Outside the ring, Mustin said Willis is always asking him a lot of questions. “He’s a chatterbox.”

As for Jonte’s boxing future, Mustin stated emphatically, “I am going to try to take him all the way! He is right on track to the road to the Olympics.” Mustin said he has seen Willis grow as a boxer and a person since fighting in the nationals. “He’s becoming more confident and knowledgeable. He has always been a great teammate to the other boxers, and now he is starting to take a leadership role with the team.”

The coach laughingly concluded, “Jonte is also a great singer and dancer. I just love his phone messages. He drives me crazy!”

Assistant coach John Shirley stated, “As a boxer, Jonte has come a long way in a short amount of time. He has tons of potential for the future.” He continued, “He is such an outgoing person and great to be around. He gets along with everybody.”

Fellow assistant coach Edward Rivas added, “Jonte displays a tremendous amount of desire to excel in life and the sport of boxing. His biggest challenge is not to become complacent. To attain the goals he has set for himself, making the 2008 Olympics, he will need to focus on the basic fundamentals of boxing and improve on those skills. He concluded, “Improvement and comprehension of the fundamentals added with his natural flair will make him a force to be reckoned with.”

Willis’ teammates weighed in on their assessment of Willis’ boxing and personality in and outside the ring.

Teammate Taylor Shirley said, “He has a lot of energy—-he’s a boxer, not a brawler.” Elijah Peters said, “Jonte is quick in the ring. He has quick feet and delivers a really good jab.” Both fighters are quick to comment regarding Jonte’s out of the ring persona. Shirley said, “Jonte is a fun person to be around.” Peters added, “He likes to dance and sing a lot! He is really a nice person and a really fun teammate.”

Central educator Buddy Smothers spoke highly regarding his friendship with Jonte. He said, “He is a tremendous person—-just a fine human being. He calls me often before fights. A lot of times it is hard to hear him because of the level of crowd noise in the arena. He has put me on the phone with his coaches and teammates. They tell me that he talks about me a lot, and that they feel like they know me. I sincerely wish Jonte the very best in boxing and life—-he is exceptional.”

Future Ambitions

As for his future in the ring, Willis has set goals of becoming the USA national champion, winning the USA Olympic Trials in 2007, and ultimately representing the United States in the 2008 Olympics.

A New Family

In the summer of 2005, Willis met his biological father and mother for the first time.

He said, “I found out that I have siblings and a whole other family, which is a huge blessing. I’m still looking for my biological brother and sister, Quernelius Anderson and Shalonda Blankenship.”

Those That Mattered

A deeply spiritual man, Willis is quick to point out that his greatest influence is God. “Without Him, nothing is possible. With Him, everything is possible.” Expressing thankfulness to his hometown church, he said “Smyrna Baptist Church helped me grow with God.”

Jonte also lifted up the memory of his parents. “Dorothy and Weldon Willis took me in and loved me. They taught me what is right and what is wrong.”

Girlfriend Jen also received special praise. He said, “She puts up with me through the good and the bad. I appreciate her for being a strong woman and my biggest fan.”

Willis thanked his cousin Jonathan Willis. “He has always been a great friend and is like a brother to me. He calls me before every fight to wish me good luck, which means a lot to me.”

Tacoma Boxing Club coach Mustin was lauded for “working with me and helping me to develop as a boxer. He is a great coach. He has given me a lifetime of knowledge about the sport of boxing, and I am very thankful.”

Central educator Buddy Smothers received praise for providing Willis with continuous inspiration and support.

Willis thanked Central Superintendent of Schools Rod Sturdivant, wife Mary and family for their kindness to him, adding,” Thank you for all those taco meals!”

He also thanked family and friends for providing kindness, love and support.

Heart of a Champion

Jonte is scheduled to compete May 9-15 as USA travels to Canada to compete against their national team.

Regarding the upcoming tournament, he said, “I’ll have to fight even harder now, because when you are fighting in another country, they are not going to give you a win if it’s a close fight.”

As the pace of training and mental commitment escalates, Jonte Willis’ relentless pursuit on the upward road to Olympic glory continues. Amid a competitive climate ripe with tremendously talented fighters, his relentless vision remains unwavering. One can only hope that his sweat, prayers, and heart-felt perseverance will be rewarded with ultimate victory.

The writer wishes to thank Jonte Willis, Jennifer Madson, USA Boxing, coach Tom Mustin and staff at Tacoma Boxing, and Buddy Smothers for contributing to this article. For more information regarding Jonte’s career, visit usaboxing.com.