Michael Miles, a Butler resident and Seneca Valley graduate, realizing dream of boxing career
Boxing used to be a passion for Michael Miles from afar.
“My mom used to order the old pay-per-views, and the whole family would come over to watch,” he said. “I remember watching guys like Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Brian Minto on TV. Seeing guys putting it all on the line in the ring, I fell in love with it.”
That could have been the extent of Miles’ connection with the sport. But four years ago, 10 years after graduating from Seneca Valley High School, he began working toward a boxing career of his own.
“For two years I went to the gym, worked out and trained at Gold Medal Boxing in Pittsburgh,” Miles said. “When I started, I weighed 230 pounds, but when I had my first fight in March 2023, I was down to about 200.
“People were telling me I was too old to start a career, but I just wanted a shot.”
Miles won his first fight, but lost his second.
“I was super depressed after that, it bothered me to the core,” he said. “But every loss is a learning experience, and that bout showed me that I had to step everything up.”
Miles has not lost since. He was crowned Pennsylvania State heavyweight novice champion last weekend in Philadelphia and is now 10-1 as an amateur. Two weeks earlier, he defeated Omar Alvarez for the Western Pa. Golden Gloves title in a bout held at the Teamsters Hall in Pittsburgh.
“I had faced him a few months ago, and this time he was definitely more muscular,” Miles said. “This was the rematch, but I beat him by unanimous decision both times.”
Miles also won a Carolina Gloves title in February at an event in Jacksonville, N.C.
He has moved on to Steel City Boxing and is being trained by John James, a Pittsburgh native who had a decorated amateur career and went 5-3-1 as a pro.
“He’s teaching me to be patient and harps on defense, defense, defense,” he said. “He’s about defense first and offense second. It can win you a lot of fights.”
Next up for Miles is the USA Boxing Nationals in Las Vegas in mid-June.
“State champions from all over the country will be in Vegas, and it’s going to be tough,” he said. “I just want to continue to get better.”
No matter how long he decides to compete, Miles is hoping to influence others through boxing. He is employed by FedEx and lives in Butler with his daughter, Aaliyah.
“My goal is to start a non-profit one day, have my own gym and get youth involved in boxing,” he said. “I’m working right now with a trainer, James Hoy with Team 412 Boxing, teaching kids. It’s a sport that has valuable lessons, in and out of the ring.”
