Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions proudly announces the signing of undefeated lightweight Maynard “Mr. Marvelous” Allison to a promotional agreement.

 

Allison (4-0, 3 KOs), from Siler City, North Carolina, is a former college football player.  One day while driving pass a gym he became intrigued by the art of boxing.  In his early 20s he started studying and training.  During an interview when Allison was asked WHY BOXING he explained “I played sports all my life, but there was no boxing where I grew up.  When I graduated high school, I went to college to play football.  The only issue was I didn’t get along with the coach.  One day while home bored and looking for something to do, I decided to take a drive to clear my head.  As I was driving I noticed a boxing gym, I stopped and went in.  I wanted to understand the sport of boxing and see if it was something I could do.  But from the beginning I knew this was something I wanted to do and that I would be great.  I have had the passion for boxing ever since.”

 

A quick-fisted counter puncher with above-average power, Allison says he enjoys the finer points of the sweet science. “I’m a good boxer,” he said. “I like counterpunching, I’m slick - You gotta be slick to last in this sport.  I work on defense a lot, trying not to get hit.  I make them miss and I make them pay.”

The 28-year-old came down from 165 lbs. to 135 lbs. and went on to have almost 50 amateur fights.  Allison turned professional late 2015 and now trains at the Inner City Boxing Gym in Durham, North Carolina under Professional Boxing Coach  Massey.  Allison says, “We have a great relationship and he is actually the best coach I’ve ever met.  He’s really strict, stays on you, and makes sure you do everything right.  If you don’t come to the gym, he calls you and says ‘where you at? You need to come now.'”

 

Allison was last seen demolishing (then-undefeated) crosstown rival Braulio Soto in an under one round fight last February.  “He was going around running his mouth a lot,” said Allison of Soto.  “My coach knew he stood no chance against me and knew fighting him would be a good opportunity for me to get name out there.  I never question my coach.  I watched a tape on him and found when he throws his jab and his front foot comes up. So I was waiting for him to throw his jab and when he did, I slipped the jab and came back with the straight right. That was it, he was out.”

Promoter Cohen was introduced to Allison through his manager, Anthony Brown.  The victory over Soto was what led to the promotional agreement.

 

“Anthony had spoken to me about his fighter being “something special” in the past.  When he finally sent me a link to his last fight and after taking a look,” explained Cohen.  “I was very impressed. Maynard has a very fast fist and a ton of power.  I think having started his career at nearly super middleweight has made him extremely strong for a lightweight.  We will be helping him to advance in his career the right way: against opponents who will push him to his full potential.”

 

A married father of four, Allison is aware that at age 28, he has no time to lose.  Allison explains, “I know I got a late start.  I don’t want to say I’m old, but I’m getting boxing old (laughs).  I know I have to hurry up, it feels good to be signed with GCP.  Just knowing that I have somebody looking out for me and not having to worry about finding my own fights makes me feel like I made the right decision.  A world title was always my dream, but I just want to make enough to invest and do something with my money and make sure my family will be alright. That’s all I care about.”

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