From Boardroom to Boxing Rings: The Meteoric Rise of Alan Graves Jr.
- Mark Dunn
- Jan 13
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 15
From Boardroom to Boxing Rings: The Meteoric Rise of Alan Graves Jr.
In a sport often defined by lifelong sacrifice and childhood dreams, Alan Graves Jr. is proving that it is never too late to reinvent oneself. A successful entrepreneur who once dominated the corporate landscape, Graves has swapped tailored suits for boxing gloves, transforming into a professional middleweight powerhouse with a record that is currently setting the boxing world ablaze.
Alan Graves - An Image by Mark Dunn Photography
The CEO Who Stepped Into the Ring
At 33, Alan Graves Jr. appeared to have reached the pinnacle of traditional success. As the former CEO of the health research firm DoNotAge, Graves was deeply immersed in the world of clinical research and longevity. However, a long-held passion for combat sports eventually pulled him from the boardroom and into the gym.
Graves didn't just enter boxing as a hobbyist; he approached it with the same tactical precision that fueled his 9-figure business ventures. Training under the guidance of elite coaches like Fabian Ene and Austrian champion Marcel Montana Rumpler through the FightGecko program, Graves underwent a grueling transformation.
A Perfect Professional Record
Since his debut in early 2024, Graves has defied the odds typically stacked against "late bloomers" in the sport. Known in the ring as "El Tolelo” which is Spanish slang for "The Family Man"—he has maintained an unblemished professional record characterized by devastating power.
• 100% Knockout Ratio: Every single one of Graves' professional victories has come by way of knockout.
• WBF World Middleweight Champion: In a remarkably short span of 18 months, Graves secured the WBF World Middleweight title, defeating veteran Etem Bayramoglu in Germany.
• The Intercontinental Title: Before his world title win, Graves made a statement in Dubai by knocking out the then-undefeated Maxi James in the fourth round.
The Homecoming: A Win for the Community
Most recently, Graves brought his talents back to his roots. Originally from Alvaston, Derby, Graves headlined a major "Homecoming" fight on December 20, 2025, at the Vaillant Live Arena. He continued his streak by knocking out Germany’s David Kerkmann, but the victory was about more than just a belt.
Referee Stoping the fight - An Image by Mark Dunn Photography
In a professional display of sportsmanship and community spirit, Graves used the event to raise £30,000 for the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre. The charity, which provides seaside breaks for disadvantaged children, holds a personal connection for Graves; his grandmother, Joyce, benefited from the center's services decade ago.
"I’m just a kid from Derby, living life, and loving life, but I’m also living proof that anything is possible," Graves remarked following his latest victory".
Alan Graves and Germany’s David Kerkmann - An Image by Mark Dunn Photography
What Lies Ahead?
With a perfect 6-0 record and a reputation for finishing fights early, Alan Graves Jr. is no longer just a "businessman who boxes." He is a legitimate force in the middleweight division. As we move through 2026, the sporting world is watching closely to see if "El Tolelo" can maintain his 100% KO rate against the next tier of world-class contenders.
This video provides an inside look at how Alan Graves applied his high-level entrepreneurial discipline to the world of professional boxing.
Inside the Grind: The Elite Training Regimen of Alan Graves Jr.
Behind every knockout punch is a relentless commitment to physical and mental excellence. For Alan Graves Jr., the transition from a 9-figure entrepreneur to a WBF World Middleweight Champion wasn't a stroke of luck—it was the result of a scientific, high-intensity training philosophy designed to bypass years of traditional amateur experience.
The "FightGecko" Philosophy
Graves relies on the FightGecko system, an elite training methodology led by Austrian champion Marcel Montana Rumpler and coach Fabian Ene.
Unlike many traditional camps, Graves’ preparation is characterized by:
• Eight-Hour Workdays: Treating boxing with the same professional rigor as a CEO, Graves often dedicates up to eight hours a day to his craft during peak camp.
• Scientific Recovery: Leveraging his background in longevity, Graves utilizes advanced wellness techniques including cryotherapy and steam treatments at his own Body & Mind wellness center to accelerate muscle repair.
• Tactical Precision: His training focuses heavily on "intelligence-based" fighting—studying southpaw stances and movement patterns to neutralize more experienced opponents quickly.
2026: The Year of the "Super Fight"?
Coming off a dominant TKO victory over David Kerkmann in late December 2025, Graves enters 2026 with a target on his back and a massive ambition in his sights.
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