How did you get the nickname “Bad Boy”?
When I was young kid around 2 or 3, I was just one of those kids that were always involved in any and everything. Mother and Father would just say “Bad Boy Al”.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, lived there until I was 4yrs old. Then my family moved to New York until I was 10yrs old. After that we moved to Richmond, CA and I have been here ever since.

How did you get involved in boxing?
I worked at Hollywood Video. We had a fight on the big screen. I was young and bragging to some customers about how I could keep up with the fighters. A customer came up to me and asked me if I had talent, and I said “Definitely, these guys are nothing”. He gave me his number and said that he had a boxing gym and I should come down. A couple of weeks later I went down. They got me in the ring with this guy and we went one round. I was exhausted & tired, but I did great! He was an ex-champ. They said that I had talent, and that I should stick with it.

Did you play other sports?
I was a naturally gifted athlete. I played every sport that you could think of: Judo, basketball, football, track, swimming and tennis.

Was your family supportive of you becoming a boxer?
I started boxing at 18. I told my Mom I was boxing, and she said, “No you are not”. My father was a big boxing fan, and we watched the fights together, so he was supportive.

Why did it take you so long to start boxing?
Basketball and football were the marquee sports, so I followed and got into them. I wasn’t tall enough for basketball, and wasn’t strong enough for football, but I was perfect for boxing.

Did you get into a lot of fights growing up?
I grew up in a good household. I had one fight outside boxing, and I made a statement. After that nobody ever wanted to fight me. I had a loving Mom and Dad, I wasn’t a bad kid.

When do you know when it’s time to go Pro?
There are a variety of different things. Growth, you have to sit down and talk with your family, friends and the people closest to you. You need to grow as a Pro. What you learned as an amateur is totally different than what you will learn as a Pro. It’s in the fighter to know when you’ve done everything in amateur, and the next goal is to take the next step. Your coach will also indicate if it is time to transition.

Which boxer influenced you the most growing up?
Past – My favorite of all time is Sugar Ray Leonard. He was pure boxer. He had character, skills, personality, work ethic, and was good for the sport. He was a gentleman and I idolized him.
Current– Andre Ward. His aura and the way he represents what he is about. How spiritually connected he is to God. He truly inspires me.

How important was it to you to get that first professional win out of the way, and do it in your hometown Richmond?
It was nerve wracking. Every fighter is anxious to slip on the 8oz gloves and not use head gear, for the first time. But I felt good. You can’t compare how big of an achievement it was for me. Being able to fight in front of my hometown fans made me psyched and I was ready.
What is an average day like as a full-time worker and a professional boxer?
It’s hard, and it’s a job. But it will pay off in the long run. I’m up at 5:30am, typically I take a run around the block before I get ready for work. I work for PG&E from 7:00am to3:30, then I come home to the gym and put in 4 more long and hard hours.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
I have a social life, but I’m really focused now. I realize that if I put all the hard work in now, it will pay off later. I keep my priorities in tact with work and boxing. My life is pretty simple. Boxing is my job, it’s a sport, and it’s also fun. I like entertaining people.

Is there a timeline for when you can train full-time and quit your day job?
That is the statement that boxing has to make upon for me. I know that if I put in my dues, it will pay off.

What are your strengths?
Combination of speed and power. I am fast with my hands and feet. Good vision, good power. I fight with passion and tenacity.

Who is your dream fight?
I’m too young for that, but I would like to have sparred 3 or 4 rounds with Sugar Ray Leonard. Just to see what he could teach me.

What are you like before the fight?
Cool, calm and collected. It all comes to God. I don’t fear what I don’t know. I’m anxious, and also very humble. For the most part I am calm, and I owe that to God.

How does your spirituality work with your sport? How do you separate your religion from fighting?
I don’t think it’s a very biblical thing to do, but the truth of the matter is that a lot of things in life are not biblical. This is what I was blessed to do. It does cause conflict, but I do repent for my sins, whether in boxing or life in general.

What are your short term goals? Are you taking on any challengers?
Definitely. We are going to take an aggressive approach. It will be a smart and aggressive approach. You have to build off wins. I want to be consistent, and fight as often as possible.

How often would you like to fight in a year?
At least 12 fights. I’d like to fight once or maybe twice a month.

What do you say to people that say that boxing is dead?
Oh no, boxing is alive. MMA is growing but boxing is still alive. It is still the money sport. It’s an Olympic sport. MMA, no Olympics! They need to publicize boxing a little more. Let people learn about the fighters and where they come from. Boxing is a sport that will never die.

Does boxing have too many belts?
The truth of the matter is that there are so many belts, that I don’t follow it. I can’t keep up. It’s supposed to be a unanimous thing.

When will you know you’ve made it, twenty fights in, maybe a world title?
Honestly, I’ve already made it. I don’t have many expectations. Everyone wants to be at the top, and I know I will get there. But, that won’t define me. I’m just enjoying it. Fight after fight. There is no one particular thing that will make me think I’ve made it.

How important is your walk out music?
It’s important. It motivates me, and is a reflection of me.

What is in your IPod right now?
(Laughing) I need to get an IPod.
When I run I zone out and meditate. I listen to my inner voice and I listen to God.

Are there any sponsors or people that you would like to thank?
My family, Bladium Sports & Fitness, my trainers Henry Jarrow, Roe & Jamie, Vincit Magazine, and all those who have supported me.