What does it take to be a title holder? How much dedication and discipline is required? For boxer Eric “The Juggernaut” Draper, current Tennessee State middleweight title holder, it’s all about the mentality.
Draper earned the state middleweight (under 160 pounds) belt in June after winning a fight in Nashville against Yolexcy Leiva. Despite having the title, Draper’s approach to fighting hasn’t changed. “My mindset is to always be working,” Draper says, “every fight I fight in, I have to put up a belt.”
Training at Bill Taylor’s Champion’s Corner, which shares a building with the Broad Street location of Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate, Draper describes his training process as investing in himself. He wants to make sure he’s always presenting his best self.
“Everybody’s watching,” he says. “They’re watching to see what’s next.”
Before Draper steps into the ring, a lot of planning goes into each fight. Not only is he training constantly, building up his strength and stamina, he and his team also have to take care of the financials and logistics of the fight. But once it’s all set up and ready for the bell, Draper has to step into the ring with a clear mind. Of course, every one of his opponents comes with the intention to defeat him and both fighters have eager eyes watching.
These high stakes and high-pressure situations further emphasize Draper’s calm and optimistic mentality.
“Once I get dialed in on who I’m fighting, I don’t look at it like I’m fighting a person; I’m fighting his ability,” Draper says. “I don’t know him as a person; maybe he’s a great person, but my job is to win . . . this is how I look at it.”
So what’s next for Draper? While having the state title is a great accomplishment for the 46-year-old fighter, Draper isn’t content with that belt. He has his sights set on a bigger prize: a fight with Floyd Mayweather.
However, there’s more at stake for Draper than just fighting one of the best. For him, the fight would be for the community.
“It all comes together like a sandwich. You win fight after fight, you sell ticket after ticket, you win the Tennessee State title, and you hope to put something together that’s big. I want everybody to eat off that plate,” says the Smyrna-based fighter. A boxing match with Mayweather (who, like Draper, was born in 1977) could create an economic boom for Tennessee and would start a ripple effect, according to Draper.
Even if it isn’t Mayweather, Draper wants to bring a big fight to Tennessee to create opportunities for other fighters who haven’t had their chance to shine and overall make an event where everybody wins.
It’s clear to see that Draper is an inspiration to those around him. During his recent interview with the Pulse, several of his fellow gym mates commented on Draper, saying that if anyone could get a fight with Mayweather, it’s him.
“You need a support system,” says Draper, “You can’t make it by yourself.” Draper’s biggest supporter has been his coach, Bill Taylor, and the support goes full circle, as the coach’s son had his first amateur fight this summer after training with Draper. Being able to share the passion and love for boxing is what makes it all worth it for him.
While Draper is currently recovering from a hand injury, he expects to get back in the ring in the fall of 2023. No matter the obstacles or setbacks, Draper will continue to break through walls to get to where he wants to be. That’s why they call him “The Juggernaut.”
