Lessons learned for Louis Rose

Every fighter dreams of the chance to be part of a televised card, for Louis “Unknown” Rose (8-1) that time is now as he faces Paul Mendez (14-2) on October 28 . The Southern California middleweight will be the co-main event of a card  promoted by Golden Boy Promotions taking place in Redwood City, CA and  that will air on Fox Sports. 

For most young fighters protecting their undefeated record is a symbol of accomplishment as they work their way up the ladder of contention. In the case of Rose, the lone loss on his record  to Tony Hirsch served as a lesson that has put him in position that he is in now. The opportunity to be part of a nationally televised event.

“That fight I learned a lot. First, you can’t overlook any opponent. That was my problem, I thought I had too much experience and he had losses. I took him lightly.  I learned I have to stay focussed in the ring because that fight I was not focussed at all. I was not there 100 percent,” said Rose.

The way that Rose is able to admit his mistake and own up to it, is a sign of a fighter maturing and learning. It’s those type of lessons that while painful can only be learned through experience and not be taught in the gym.

But that is the type of fighter Rose is, not one to use other circumstances as scapegoats. An example of this is the rough experience of growing up in the foster system as a youth. While admitting that at the time he was getting into trouble and fighting,

Rose never uses being a foster youth as reason for his boxing. “Not at all, my background was bad but there was no anger. The only thing I can say is that it was my calling. It was really a blessing in disguise,” said Rose.

Listening to Rose speak gives the impression of a fighter who is beyond comfortable in his own skin and is at peace with the events in his life. “I was a foster kid and grew up in a foster home. I didn’t really have nowhere to go and something told me I should go to a gym. Ever since then, within the first two weeks I was training. I felt I could do this and a few weeks later I was sparring,” said Rose.

After starting his career as a light heavyweight, Rose soon realized that the punches at the higher weight have more of an effect on his frame than if he got down to middleweight. “One day I got hit with a punch and I said, you know I have to get down in weight. I had never been hit like that and it made me want to get down in weight,” said Rose.

If everything goes as planned, Rose hopes that a victory will come by simply doing the things he does best in the ring and staying disciplined for all rounds. “Just basically boxing. Hit and not get hit. Lots of speed and stay off the ropes.I have the skill and the mindset to be up there. I feel I’m the next middleweight to look out for,” said Rose.