Manny Thompson remembers everything about his first professional fight. 

“It was one of the happiest moments of my life,” he said. “It was nerve-racking, to say the least. When you are starting out your pro career, you want to start out with a win.”

Thompson, a boxer, was fighting Christian Bruffy Holmes in Albuquerque, N.M. He was one of the undercards for a show headlined by Holly Holm, a former female welterweight world champion. 

Thompson’s pro debut did not last very long—it took all of 58 seconds for him to knock out his opponent. 

“Coach came into the ring. He came up to me and I thought he was going to hug me, but he picked me up and the crowd got even louder,” Thompson said. “It was crazy. It was a great experience, and my adrenaline started rushing afterward.”

This took place two years ago, and Thompson has not stepped into the ring since. 

Thompson is currently a graduate student at Wichita State, studying criminal justice. He also substitute teaches for USD 259 and has experience as a model. 

He even teaches fitness classes at Title Boxing Club on Rock Road. 

But this Saturday he will stop being a teacher and student, and put the gloves back on for his second professional fight. 

Thompson will fight Clarence Joseph (1-0) of Oklahoma at Doc Howards in downtown Wichita. It will be the co-main event of the night. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the fights starting at 6 p.m. 

“I’m excited. It’s been a while,” Thompson said. “What I’m most excited about is how intense it gets coming up to a fight.”

Preparing for a professional fight is no easy task. Weeks, if not months, are dedicated to getting ready for a fight that could last only seconds. 

The most difficult part of the training comes at the beginning, when you try and break down your body. 

“If you feel like you can’t punch anymore and you are working a heavy bag, that’s when you want to punch more,” Thompson said. “That’s when you run even faster. You run longer, you run harder.”

Thompson does not do any contact drills in the week leading up to his fight, and keeps his workouts basic. This close to a fight it is not about getting better, but maintaining your health and stamina. 

Even little things like washing their hands frequently to avoid getting sick are important to make sure a fighter’s body is 100 percent for fight night. 

As important as the physical workouts are, what separates Thompson from many professional athletes is his dedication to nutrition. 

Thompson has been a vegetarian for two years and rarely eats anything after around 5 p.m. 

“I place more emphasis on my diet and nutrition than I do on my workouts, and I workout a lot,” he said. “I believe that I’m working more efficiently. I’m working smarter.”

It is important to be in prime condition at the time of the fight. Fighters do not want to have to worry about any health concerns and hope everything comes naturally when they face their opponent. 

As hectic as it can be for a fighter leading up to the main event, the fight itself might be the calmest part. Thompson has been boxing since he was 11, and understands the importance of staying levelheaded during a fight.

“It comes with experience trying to stay relaxed while you are fighting,” he said. “I want to stay cool, calm and collected. Conserve that energy and stay focused.”

After all, it only takes one punch to end it.

Thompson will be among the first to tell you how dangerous the sport is. Anytime he steps into the ring it is against someone of near-equal talent, and it doesn’t take much to get knocked out. 

But with the risk comes reward, and nothing is more rewarding than winning a professional fight in your hometown, something Thompson hopes to accomplish on Saturday.

“The reason why we do what we do is not only for our own gratitude and our hunger to make it, but for the fans. We train hard—blood, sweat and tears—for the fans,” Thompson said. “I feel really confident all will go well. I just need to go in there and get this K.O. and keep fighting after that, keep racking up wins, and see where it takes me after that.”

The fight will take place at Doc Howards, located at 252 N. Mosley. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Title Boxing Club at 8338 E. 21st or at JT’s Liquor at 3700 N. Woodlawn.