Coach’s Corner: Jesse Neil
You've been here at Lobos for a while now. Where else have you coached?
I coached at a gym down the street called Prevail for about five years. Before that, I was just training regularly. I always had a love for the sport and it's a great outlet so I enjoy training. It was only when I came to Los Angeles, I started working as a coach in boxing.
What made you move from Boston to LA?
It was by way of New York. After college, I moved up to New York to work at Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). I was a regular performer on Harold night. Soon after, my sketch shows started getting notoriety and became a part of Comedy Central's comics to watch. At that time my agent and manager were like, "Hey, it's time you and your writing partner to move out to LA and pitch these shows!" So that's originally how I came out here. Following the dream. (laughter). I continue to write while I'm teaching boxing. It's become a great way to pay for my ability to chase that dream.
Funny or Die - Big Bird Interns
That basically answers my next question. What are your hobbies outside of boxing?
Yeah, I'm big into writing. Love, love, love writing. Other than that, I enjoy climbing/bouldering in my spare time. I'm a huge video game nerd. I'm a huge fan of story-driven games like The Last of Us. When they finally made a series (on HBO) I was like, "Thank god somebody is making this finally!" I guess I'm a bit weird, although maybe being a nerd is cool now. It's amusing that I have this juxtaposition of "fighter", yet I can turn around and ask, "You guys ever played Final Fantasy 10?"
I think it's more normal now with our generation today than it was 20 years ago.
I hope so. I'm sick of hiding the fact that I love Final Fantasy games. (laughs)
So what's the best Final Fantasy game?
Oh, it's 7 for sure. FFX is the one that I think had the most impact on me but FFVII...come on. It's so good. Final Fantasy 6 in Japan was huge and is a great game. Kefka is one of the greatest villains of all time and that twist two-thirds of the way through the story is amazing. But with 7, in terms of connecting with a single protagonist in a plotline, and also killing off a main character two-thirds of the way through the game, that's a move that is genre-defining.
So before we completely geek out, let's come back to boxing. What's your favorite fighter?
Triple G is one. I love Vasyl Lomachenko and Mike Tyson. Old-school fighters like Haggler were great. That entire era with Hagler, Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Roberto Duran, they were just a different breed of boxers you don't see today. I've been watching a lot of Holyfield's fights lately. It's just so fun to watch his fights. He's got the most heart I think of any fighter I've seen where he'll take a pounding and just come back and be like, "Nope, I'm still in this fight." I love that mentality.
What's your favorite fight of all time?
Recently, the entire Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder trilogy. "The War" between Haggler and Hearns was three rounds of absolute glory. Other than that, I like going back and watching Triple G beat the crap out of guys. It's always fun. I like to see brawlers do what they do and smart fighters do what they do.
Theoretical question - You finished a fight camp and won your big fight...what's your celebratory meal?
This is the hardest question you could ever ask me. 'm a huge foodie. It would have to be something that's considered "super comfort food". It would have to be barbecue. I would need pork ribs with southern-style gravy, beans with the burnt ends, collard greens, and mac & cheese. Of course, I'll need to go all out and have some cornbread.
Here's where things get divisive...Memphis or Texas?
Carolina! As I get more into cooking, the "tang" is the most important thing. That vinegary tang in the back of your tongue is super good. Also, Texas is all about the brisket and I'm more of a ribs guy. So if it's between those two, I'll probably go like I'll go Memphis over Texas. But at the end of the day, just give me some coleslaw and ribs, and I'll be the happiest man alive.
