Meet “Memphis Madman” DeAngelo Leachman
Professional boxer “Memphis Madman” DeAngelo Leachman originally found the sport as a way to stay out of the streets and to help him deal with the emotional turmoil of his mother’s passing.
“I kept getting in street fights and catching assault charges for it, so I figured why not do something productive with that aggression, why not get paid for it?” Leachman reflected on his origin story. The undefeated cruiserweight (7-0, all by way of KO) hails from the infamous neighborhood of Orange Mound in Memphis, TN and is a passionate advocate for his community.
He credits his upbringing for part of his success stating, “Fighting comes very natural to me. Where we come from, we always have to fight for everything whether it be for education, our rights, our way of living, our pride- everything.”
Leachman got the opportunity to train in Detroit for the majority of his amateur career thanks to a manager known as Billy Summers who encouraged him to fight as many amateur fights as possible before going pro. Summers also introduced him to a coach known as Ferdell Pitts aka “Sugar Man” who took him in and taught him everything he knew. Pitts would end up passing away after four years together, but not before getting Leachman to an impressive 44-5 amateur record that got him to Golden Gloves National, the USA Nationals, Ringside Nationals and ranked #7 in the country. Him, alongside a coach known as Ali El (also father of former WBC champion Tony Harrison) who unfortunately also passed, had a profound effect on Leachman early in his career. “Mixed in with them two guys I felt I was on top of the world. They were my inspiration, I can still hear them now ‘Jab, move, turn, AGAIN’. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
The boxer is also grateful to Coaches Reginald Foster and Brian Hall of MPD boxing for instilling into him the basics that makes him feel capable of beating any opponent put in front of him by themselves. He also wants to thank the coach behind his whole professional career Aaron “Showtime” Anderson for being an extra source of motivation, keeping his mental sharp and keeping him ahead of the game.
When speaking on his motivating factors through the trials and tribulations of fight life the fighter articulated ” My overall goal is to be a world champion at cruiserweight and provide my family with the life I never had. But it’s also excitement, when you’re in there and everybody is looking up at you, it’s similar to being a modern-day gladiator. The streets also drive me because I know where I come from, and I know where I would be if it wasn’t for this. I could’ve been robbing, stealing, selling drugs. it also goes back to the pride thing – who’s the baddest man on the planet? Then with all the discretion and discrimination I’ve faced, I feel like I have a point to prove.”
The “Memphis Madman’s” next fight will be in none other than his hometown of Memphis, TN. Which is something the undefeated prospect is very excited about – especially since it’s his first time getting the opportunity to do so.
“I’m happy to get the opportunity to fight in my hometown as a Memphis native, like I’m really hyped about how packed it’s going to be. I sold Southaven (Mississippi) out so I can’t wait to see this, to see everybody from all the neighborhoods in Memphis come out and support. This is really big for me. ” Leachman exclaimed.
The fight takes place February 26th at Beast Mode Sports Complex at 199 Cumberland St, Memphis, TN 38112.
Last but not least Leachman wanted to give a big thank you to the special lady of his life for “dealing with the months of training away, all the BS that can come with fight life and being hard-headed” the fighter laughed. He also wanted to send a special shout out to his kids for being a constant source of motivation and emotional support.
