Boxer fights odds to stand in ring

Boxing requires balance, agility, and grace – that’s why it’s often referred to as “The Sweet Science.”

But imagine if you had to fight just to stand up.

A southern Colorado man is beating the odds by stepping into the ring.

Jake Johnson didn’t have an easy childhood.

“I always knew I was different than everyone around me,” said Johnson. “People tried to pick on me when I was younger and I just wouldn’t let them”

Johnson only has one leg.

“I was born with a weird condition called PFFD,” said Johnson. “That’s a fancy acronym for meaning I’m missing a femur bone.”

Without a hip – femur – or knee – he managed to make a name for himself in high school wrestling. But even that wasn’t a safe haven.

“I had one coach that kicked me off varsity just because I was missing my leg,” said Johnson, “even though I beat everyone in my weight class. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work.”

Then – later in life – he found a new coach, and a new sport.

Coach Ali Rezgui of BFS Boxing in Colorado Springs remembers the first time Johnson came into his gym.

“When he came to me, I told him ‘you will box like everybody.’ He said ‘Coach are you serious?’ I said you will see”

To call Johnson’s situation unique is an understatement. To Coach Ali’s mind, he’s the only guy in the country fighting with one leg.

Now he can throw punch with the best of them. But he still gets nervous.

“I mean every time I step in the ring I’m like ‘oh man, this guy’s going to hit me!’ and I don’t like being hit,” said Johnson. “But I like competing.”

His impact on the community – and his family – is clear.

“When I retire I will think about this person,” said Coach Ali. “I’ll say, ‘Hey! I have a guy – his name is Jake”

It’s why Jake Johnson is Colorado Strong.