Rising boxing star Eric Draper has reached the next level of a promising career that could not only change his life, but restore boxing as a major professional sport in Indiana.
Draper, the current Indiana state light middleweight champion, will fight Mustafah Johnson March 22 at McGowan Hall-Knights of Columbus downtown.
Draper and Johnson will compete for the regional North American Boxing Council title, which is affiliated with the World Boxing Council. In addition, it will be a highly anticipated rematch for the two fighters; Johnson won their 2010 bout in South Bend.
“It will be a big fight for both of us, and could change both of our careers and lives,” said Draper. “I’m representing Indiana, and this is an opportunity to also represent some of North America.”
Draper, known in the ring as the “The Juggernaut,” has become a fan-favorite, gaining widespread attention after defeating Keon Johnson in a knockout to win the state’s light middleweight title in November.
Boxing has provided an inspiring journey for Draper, who grew up in poverty in Memphis and has lived several years in Indianapolis. An Army veteran, Draper works as a federal police officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He graduated with a history degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage, where he played basketball. Although he enjoyed that sport, Draper did not see himself as professional material. Upon his return from the military, he began to lose his athleticism.
“I was just being a typical guy. Not working out, having a good time, and before I knew it, I was out of shape,” he said. “I said to myself, ‘This is not me.’”
Draper got back in shape, and was encouraged to enter amateur Golden Gloves boxing, despite being in his early 30s, a relatively advanced age for boxing.
However, Draper won state amateur tournaments and went on to compete in the national semi-finals.
He began working with trainer Ced Johnson, and also received training from Wes Ramey Jr., owner of Top Level Gym on the city’s Southside, and trainer of champions such as 1987 IBF heavyweight champion Tony Tucker, IBO heavyweight champion Troy Weida, WBA champion Carl Daniels and several others.
“Eric has many advantages, including his height, conditioning and his willingness to fight and work hard,” said Ramey, whose father, the late Wes Ramey Sr., has been consistently ranked among the top 10 lightweights in the world. “He continues to improve and get better, and you can’t beat his work ethic.”
Draper utilizes both Ced Johnson and Ramey in training and at ringside. He values the motivation of the younger trainer Johnson, while incorporating the expertise of the experienced Ramey, who is also well-respected as a cut man, or person who quickly repairs the wounds of a boxer.
“They both deserve credit for where I am and they have brought me a long way,” he said.
After winning his professional debut in 2009, Draper expected, with hard work, to have a clear shot at higher ranks. However, the journey has sometimes been rough.
Early in his career he had to often fight out of state, since Indiana’s boxing scene has been mostly inactive in recent years. Draper didn’t always receive credit for his victories over hometown favorites in other cities.
Overall, though, Draper said his career has been rewarding. More importantly, he wants to help make boxing prominent in Indianapolis again, so that it can have a positive impact on youth. He is thankful the company he works with, CBA Promotions, is organizing more boxing events.
“I want to get to the top, but not as much as I want to bring the kids along,” said Draper, pointing to teenagers practicing in Ramey’s gym. “We have to give these kids something they can look forward to, so they can see there is a future in boxing for them beyond the amateur level.”
Draper noted that Indianapolis has already produced great fighters such as three-time world light heavyweight champion Marvin Johnson, 1985 WBC light heavyweight title winner JB Williamson, 2004 WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster and heavyweight standout Franklin Lawrence.
Draper hopes the local community will get behind boxing again and support local events. He was encouraged that CBA’s last two fights were sold out.
“I understand this is a basketball state,” Draper said, laughing. “But everybody can’t be a basketball player. We have a lot of people who have determination, a lot of will, and with the right people behind them they might be able to be a world champion.”
