Duluth boxer “Lionheart” crowned champion in 10th pro fight

It takes training, focus, and a fierce heart to step into a boxing ring.

After months of practice at Jungle Boy Boxing Gym, Duluth’s own Danny Huffman lived up to his nickname “Lionheart” entering a bout in St. Paul over the weekend. At Element Gym he would emerge the champion over a six-time Golden Glove winner.

“I think within the first minute of the fight I kind of connected with a straight right hand and I just put him down,” Huffman recalled. “I had him out a couple of times on his feet, he just wouldn’t go away. He still wasn’t letting up, letting off the gas, he was coming forward the entire fight so it made it fun. Fun fight for the fans, it was a fun fight for me, it was a learning experience for me.”

The win also commemorated 25-year-old Huffman’s 10th professional fight.

Zach Walters, owner of Jungle Gym, said Huffman would train at 4:30 a.m., then again in the afternoon, and spar double digit rounds on weekends to prepare for his fight.

“Danny has been in the gym since he was a teenager, he was still in high school. It’s so fun to see the way he’s become a young man and now chasing a dream of professional boxing. It’s so fun to be a part of his career as his coach and mentor, trainer. It encompasses what Jungle Gym is all about; helping kids find their way, make a good life, and have some fun with boxing,” Walters shared.

Jungle Gym is now working on planning a hometown fight for Huffman around March 10.