BOXER BRAD GINN: Brad Gin credits the discipline within the sport with helping him be a better family man, husband and businessman

STORY BY BOB LABBE | PHOTOS BY JOSHUA BERRY | LIVING 50 PLUS

A boxer is an athlete described as a battler, combatant and scrapper. In just those few definitions one can almost describe Brad Ginn whose whole purpose in life is to be the best he can every day in everything he faces. Since taking up amateur boxing in 2003 after years of learning martial arts techniques, he has made a vibrant successful tour in the sport, which has shaped his life to the fullest.

“The years of boxing have helped me through this journey as the sport has helped me health wise, but discipline within the sport has transcended into my personal life as I’m a better family man, husband and businessman,” said Ginn. “All of this I attribute back to boxing giving me purpose in life.”

A self-declared natural athlete, Ginn was a soccer goalie in his youth and also played baseball, tennis and football. He attended Huntsville High School, but feeling social awkwardness caused him to shy away from school and eventually led to him dropping out of his education, though he proudly earned his GED in 1992. He soon became the youngest real estate broker in Alabama and would later start his own business in 2005 and for the last four years has seen that business triple in size as Beacon Management Services.

Born in the community of Olney, Maryland, just 30 miles north of the White House in Washington, D.C., Ginn turned age 51 on Jan. 11 and made his way to the New Year sporting an undefeated 20-0 record since returning to the boxing ring in 2021 after 15 years away from the sport that has taken him to be named to both the Alabama Boxing Hall of Fame and Masters Boxing Hall of Fame. Prior to his stepping away from slipping on the boxing gloves, Ginn was 19-4 as a competitor before moving to the division he currently dominates in the heavyweight weight class. At 6-foot-3 and 212 pounds, Ginn is a formable opponent and continues his quest to be the best he can be. He’s also elevated his talents as a boxing coach as Ginn has recently earned the distinction of being named a Silver Level USA Boxing Coach.

In his younger years growing up in several locales due to his father being a traveling salesman, Ginn was actually the victim of bullying as he was made fun of and teased by many of his classmates. Most of the torment came while he was in the ninth grade while living in Florida and he quietly dealt with the almost daily uneasiness, which would lead him to becoming a championship amateur boxer.

“That experience in my life is what created my gravitation to martial arts and eventually to boxing. Now, I’m bullying them in the ring. I mean, giving them the business in the ring,” said Ginn with a chuckle.

As a young boxer coming out of Huntsville, Ginn once won a unanimous decision and defeated Deontay Wilder prior to Wilder winning the world heavyweight championship and became the most feared fighter in the world. The hard-fought battle in March 2006, proved to be a highlight, but soon after the memorable bout, he chose to leave the sport and concentrate on business and family and remained away from the sport until 2021 when he decided he needed the sport back into his life. So, after 15 years away from the ring, Ginn laced up his gloves again with the blessing from his wife, Cherie, and his daughter, Jewel, and stepdaughter, Kaina. It was a bold move, but one he had to make nor has regretted.

“When I left boxing I opened a business and gravitated to bad food where I ballooned to over 240-pounds,” said Ginn. “But I soon wanted to see a better me, so I began to work out and realized boxing gave me purpose, so four years ago I began to compete again.”

He’s been in fulltime workout mode since the holidays as he geared his preparation to compete in the Las Vegas Masters, which is known as the “Champion of Champions” event and the largest masters’ event in the country. Going into the two-day event he was ranked No. 1 in his division. As the year rolls along, Ginn is expected to attend the May 15-16 planned ceremony for his induction into the Masters Hall of Fame in Bradenton, Fla. On the second day of the event, Ginn will step into the ring for a scheduled bout. His quick hands and reflexes give the heavy puncher an edge over his opponents as evident with his undefeated record, but the dedicated boxer knows his place in the community and his family is happening for a reason.

For the last couple of months, Ginn has suffered tendonitis in his right elbow, which has slowed some of his usual workout routines and said at his age, the body doesn’t heal as fast as it once did as the pain from injuries lingers.

“You choose your habits that shape your future. I know I did when I lost weight, got into great physical condition and returned to boxing,” said Ginn. “I had to define my purpose as most people don’t understand the why behind the what. In 2017, I did and became a better man at home and in business as I continue as acting manager for Beacon Management Services, not to mention the boxing ring in between the ropes. While expending my energy in everything I do if I can inspire someone by doing all of that, that’s my purpose.”