John Roche was a co-captain in basketball and a two-way starter in football at Haverhill High.
But he says nothing rivals being in the ring. The 21-year-old, 200-pounder recently won the heavyweight title at the Lowell Golden Gloves.
Roche, a student at Northern Essex, took time out to go Around the Horn.
What is your athletic background? I played football, I started three years. I was defensive end and tight end. Then I played basketball for three years as a center.
Are you from an athletic family? Charlie Roche is my brother. My sister, Catherine, is a star at Whittier on the basketball team. My mom, Ellen (Hayes) Roche, went to Pentucket and played sports there. My father, John, played at Haverhill but he hurt his knee in a motorcycle accident.
Charlie was a three-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star in soccer and a Super Teamer in basketball. Was it tough being his older brother? I was always taller than him growing up. It was different before high school. I was always better. Then he got the growth sport. Then it was you're Charlie's brother. I was always proud and supportive. I tried to push him.
Do you work or go to school? I work part-time at Market Basket and Gateway Funding (mortgages) and am going to school at Northern Essex. I'm majoring in criminal justice.
What did winning the Gold Gloves mean to you? That's huge. It's something I always wanted to do. Growing up you watch Rocky. I told my dad they'll be chanting Rochie, Rochie instead of Rocky! It's like winning a state championship.
What was your road to the final? We got a bye. Then a kid dropped out. I went down five times to fight. And the only I fought was the championship. It was Steve Clark of Lowell. He was a brick wall.
How did you win? I knocked him out in the second round. A knockout, there is no better feeling. You hit someone and watch them drop. To me, it's the best feeling in the world.
How did you get into boxing? When high school sports ended, I just wanted to keep going and do something. I always wanted to box and my parents wouldn't let me. But I was 18 now and didn't need permission. I've been with Shoe City Boxing in Haverhill for three years.
How did you do in New Englands? I lost a 3-round decision by one point to the Southern New England champ Jarod Lussier from Fall River.
Compare boxing to other sports. The boxing workout is different than any workout I've ever done. It's the toughest I've done. Nothing compares to boxing.
When you were just starting, what was that first shot to the face like? It's a wake-up call. For me, I get a little angry. I say this guy is not hitting me again. My first I think was Mickey Belmer my trainer. He said let's see what you've got. He caught me and I said, ''This is boxing." Kids come down and they are a tough guy. You get hit the first time and you don't see them again. But I loved it. I wanted more.
What are your thoughts on MMA? I enjoy watching it. But I don't think I'd ever get in it. It has kind of taken over for boxing. People just like violence and that is violent. But put the MMA guys in the boxing ring and you find out they don't know how to throw their hands.
What's the better sport? Boxing. Boxing is more respectable. I see some of the way the (MMA) guys act. They still pound a guy and watch blood spatter. There is a little more respect between the two opponents in boxing.
What is your pet peeve? Politics in general. In every day life and in sports. It seems like Haverhill is full of that.
Best advice you ever received? Never stop dreaming or sleep will get awful boring. A buddy, Nick Paquette, told me that one. It kind of stuck. Also my dad texts me before every fight and says fear no one and respect every one.
If you got a new e-mail address, what would it be? heavyweightchamp
What is the most embarrassing song you have in your iPod? "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus.
Who is your dream date? Megan Fox
How many Facebook friends do you have? Over 1,000 (1,021).
What's something people don't know about you? I'm a big animal lover. I have two dogs ... a golden retriever and a yellow lab.
Time for favorites: song, group or singer, CD, Web site? "Shakedown" by Akon, Eric Church, "Shinedown The Sound of Madness," broslikethissite.com.
Favorite movie, actor, TV show, video game? "Avatar," Denzel Washington, "Jersey Shore," Call of Duty Modern Warfare.
Favorite food, athlete, car, course in school? I like all of them, but I love steak. I do a lot of cooking. Mike Tyson; I had an' 86 Chevy Silverado K10 short-bed but I blew the engine on it, it was sick; I liked History of Haverhill at Haverhill High with Mr. Roche, no relation.
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