image via: youtube

Eric Kelly is a name you would likely be much more familiar with had things gone differently in his life. The boxing trainer was once a great fighter in his own right and fought some of the more famous guys you have cheered for over the past 10-15 years.

@IamJoeSports

Kelly was a golden gloves champion and was on the fast track to stardom when problems at home caused him to lose focus. After being told his father was HIV positive, Kelly lost some of the direction he had and it led to trouble in the streets. The same streets his father wanted to keep him away from eventually caught up to him as an altercation in a bar one night pretty much ended his fighting career.

This isn’t a story however about what could’ve been. This is a story about redemption and how he was able to overcome past failures and become a good father to four children as well as one of the most sought after trainers in New York City.

On this episode of VICE’s ‘Autobiographies’ series we sit down with boxing sensation Eric Kelly to talk about growing up in 80s Brooklyn, the moment his career took an unexpected blow, and how he came back stronger than ever.

Get to know Eric Kelly.