Not Caring What Other People Think Is A Superpower: Insights From A Heavyweight Boxer (2017) Sober Letters To My Drunken Self (2018) Engagement Is The New Cocaine: The Art and Science Of Writing Awesomely Addictive Tweets (2018)
Edward Ashley Latimore, Jr. (born February 15, 1985, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a retired American professional boxer (13–1–1),[2]influencer, and author.[3] His final professional fight was December 17, 2016.
He launched his blog Mind and Fist[4] in 2013, focusing on the difficult lessons he learned from growing up in public housing projects, overcoming alcohol and pornography addiction, and general self-improvement.[5]
He has published two books, Not Caring What Other People Think Is a Superpower: Insights from a Heavyweight Boxer and Sober Letters to My Drunken Self, along with a writing and marketing guide for social media titled Engagement Is the New Cocaine: The Art and Science of Writing Awesomely Addictive Tweets.[6]
He's also been featured on Ryan Holiday's blog The Daily Stoic[11] as well as in James Clear's international best seller, Atomic Habits.[12]
Early life
Latimore was born on February 15, 1985, in Pittsburgh, PA. He only saw his father a few times a year and was raised primarily by his mother. The family was poor and lived in the Hill District housing projects until they were demolished in 1995. The family then moved across town to the Northview Heights housing project where he lived until he was 18 years old.[13]
Amateur Boxing career
Latimore started amateur boxing in 2007 when he was 22 years old. He won the Pennsylvania State National Golden Gloves in 2011 at the 201+ lb weight class.[14] He also became a national amateur boxing champion by winning the National Police Athletic League boxing tournament in Toledo, Ohio at the 201+ lb weight class.[15] He holds notable amateur victories over former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin and 2012 United States Olympian and two-time title challenger Dominic Breazeale.[16]
Latimore was also a member of now deceased media mogul Michael King's All-American Heavyweights boxer development program,[17] where he lived and trained alongside Martin and Breazeale in Carson, CA.[18]
Professional Boxing career
Latimore started his professional boxing career on January 26, 2013, with a 3rd-round TKO victory over 4–1 southpaw Jon Hill.[19]
After 6 professional fights, Latimore was signed by the Jay-Z owned sports promotion company Roc Nation Sports.[16]
Latimore's first televised fight was against Trey Lippe-Morrison, the son of late WBO Heavyweight Champion Tommy Morrison. He suffered his first career loss by a devastating first-round TKO.[20]
Latimore fought one more time in 2016 to a draw against Willis Lockett.[21] He spent his entire professional boxing career with trainer Tom Yankello.
Professional boxing record
15 fights
13 wins
1 loss
By knockout
7
1
By decision
5
0
By disqualification
1
0
Draws
1
No.
Result
Record
Opponent
Type
Round, time
Date
Location
15
Draw
13–1–1
Willis Lockett
SD
6
December 17, 2016
Mountaineer Casino Ballroom,, New Cumberland, West Virginia, U.S.
On February 17, 2017, Latimore released Not Caring What Anyone Thinks Is A Superpower: Insight From A Heavyweight Boxer. The book explores areas of his life that, while making major improvements, Latimore put time in to “develop the ability to shrug off your critics and not let them drag you back down to their level.”[8]
On December 23, 2018, Latimore released Sober Letters To My Drunken Self. The book is written to help people having difficulty with the emotional struggles involved with getting control of their drinking. The book was released on the 5 year anniversary of Latimore's sobriety.[22]
On December 25, 2018, Latimore released Engagement Is The New Cocaine: The Art And Science Of Writing Awesomely Addictive Tweets. The book teaches the benefits of using stylistic devices to bolster social media engagement. The guide has been generally well reviewed.
Personal life
Latimore is a strong advocate for sobriety and overcoming pornography addiction. He's been sober since December 23, 2013. He holds a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Physics from Duquesne University, which he did not attain until age 33. He's a veteran of The United States Army National Guard.[23] He also is an avid online and over-the-board chess player, having been featured in American Chess Magazine.[24] Latimore is in a long-term relationship.[25] He proposed to his long term girlfriend in 2020.
On God and religion, Latimore said: "For all intents and purposes, I carry the beliefs of a Christian or Catholic. Not only that, but I find that – all things considered equal – I tend to enjoy the company of people who have some religious beliefs rather than not."[26]
Willis Lockett