Milano native and professional boxer Ryan “Cowboy” Karl is training for the biggest fight of his life. He’s one match away from bringing the World Boxing Association superlight weight boxing title to Milam County for the first time ever.
Karl will face off against undefeated super lightweight champion Mario Barrios for the title on Sept. 26. The championship fight can be viewed on Showtime’s payper-view.
“It would be awesome to bring the belt to Milam County because no one’s ever done that before,” Karl said. “The ultimate goal is to be a world champion and a good Christian. I want to use my platform for something greater than myself. I want to be an all-time great. I want to support my family and leave a mark for my two boys to be able to look up to.”
Karl spent his childhood in Milam County. While an infant, his family lived in Milano. They then moved to Cameron when Karl was in kindergarten and stayed there until he was in the seventh grade. After a house fire, the family moved back to Milano.
He is the son of Darrell and Katie Karl of Milano. He graduated from Milano High School in 2010.
When he was 11 years old, Karl and his older brother Ronnie learned some of the basics of boxing from their father. Growing up, he said boxing kept him focused and prevented him from getting into trouble.
“As a youth in Milam County there was nothing else to do but play sports or get in trouble,” Karl said. “My dad opened a boxing gym in Cameron my sophomore year in high school and I was always training there. After training, I was too tired to get myself into trouble anyways.”
During his amateur career, Karl posted a record of 120-8. After being ranked as high as number three in the amateur league, Karl turned pro in 2014. He is ranked ninth in the world in the WBA super lightweight standings. His professional records stands at 18-2, with 12 of his wins coming by knockout.
“When you knock a guy out it’s the feeling of success,” Karl said. “It’s self-gratifying and it makes you feel good because all that work you put in has shown itself, and everything you’ve done has paid off.”
Karl has made a name for himself with his rough-and-tumble attack fighting style. He says he loves boxing because he has no one else to worry about but the man in front of him.
“I like that it’s an individual sport,” Karl said. “I still have my coaches that I have to listen to during training camp and during the fight, but I like the fact that once I get in the ring it’s just me and somebody else. If anything goes wrong, I can’t blame anybody but myself.”
As he prepares for his upcoming title fight, Karl says he is training as hard as ever.
“I’m super excited about it,” Karl said. “This is what I’ve worked for my whole life. It’s a fight that I’ve wanted for a while. It’ll be the biggest stage I’ve ever fought on.”
He is familiar with his opponent and says that they have a good relationship. However, there are no friends when you step inside of the ring.
“I have no animosity towards anybody,” Karl said. “I have a lot of respect for Mario and I consider him a friend. We’ll be friends before and after the fight. But during the fight, it’s all business.”
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