How Curmel Moton went from crying in the bathroom to the best young fighter in the world

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Curmel Moton didn’t want his father to hear him. He didn’t want anyone to hear him, or see him. So, she curled up and locked herself in the hotel bathroom and let tears roll down her face with disappointment bleeding from her eyes, while trying to hide her sobs. For a while, his spirit was broken, he was broken in the final of the National Silver Gloves 70-pound losing to a fighter named Breishaun Johnson, someone Moton had beaten before.

It was then, Moton reflected, sitting in that bathroom, that he felt destined to do something about boxing.

He was 11 years old.

He vowed to never go through that gut-wrenching pain like he did that night in early February 2018 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Independence, Missouri. He would never lose another fight, he promised himself.

Moton he did lost again—five years later.

He has not lost so far as a professional. He has won more than 18 amateur world titles. He had an amateur record of 156-7. Right now, he is the best young player in the world. The 18-year-old, who fights under Mayweather Promotions, is strong, fast and rising fast. Coached by his father, Curtis, Moton went 5-0, striking out four. On Saturday night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Moton will be fighting 25-year-old Hilario Martinez Moreno (4-4, 4 KOs) in six rounds on Danny Garcia’s 11-fight card for Swift Promotions, in partnership with Susan G. Komen to eradicate breast cancer.

To this day, Moton remembers who beat him nine years ago and how that set the stage for a grueling climb to the top. Mayweather knew about him at the age of eight. Moton himself found magic in his hands a few years later. The entire boxing world is starting to catch on.

He says: “Yes, I was that young. “That’s when I started looking at boxing as something very important. I hate losing, I mean I really hate losingand that loss (to Johnson) in the national finals when I was 11 put me in danger. I remember the name of the child. I was crying in the ring when I lost. When I was young, I didn’t know how to deal with loss. So I learned, after that national championship loss, how to deal with it. I just cried. I got myself together. My father came to pick me up. I wasn’t willing to show him that I was crying.”

But Curtis knew. He could see the bitterness and sorrow in his son’s red eyes.

A week after the national final loss, Curtis had “Curmey,” as he’s known to his family and friends, back at another tournament in Branson, Missouri. Curmel won easily.

“I wanted to get him back as a winner as soon as possible, but I miss that national championship loss,” Curtis recalled. “He used to cry in the ring the odd times he lost. He doesn’t like to lose.”

Motors is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. Curtis had Curmel in boxing gloves when he was four, and in the gym when he was six. Part of the reason was Curmel was a whirlwind in his youth, running over or through everything in his path. He was on the short, stocky side, like his father, full of energy. Neighbors were afraid to bring their children, telling Curtis, “Please tell your child not to hurt my child.”

When Curmel was six, Curtis and Curmel moved to Las Vegas, where a few years later, Mayweather found him. Otis Pimpleton, a highly regarded trainer based in Las Vegas, literally watched Curmel’s boxing career blossom from the ground up. Curmel was seven years old. Pimpleton noticed at that time Curmel’s inflexible behavior and insatiable desire to learn.

“Because of his strong background from his father, Curmel always wanted to stay active in the gym,” Pimpleton said. “Even at seven o’clock he wanted to continue studying. I would train all these kids and bring them to Floyd to see if he could help us get these kids to tournaments. Floyd made sure these kids always had money, and he made sure they always knew how to fight. Curmel used to be short for his age. He liked to take the big, old kids. He was short and stocky. Curmel was knocked down, but he always got back up and never got knocked out. The child is very humble, and very respectful, and that comes from his father.

“He still wants to learn. He just turned pro. We have at least another 20 years. He has the time of his life ahead of him. Mel is the same way as Floyd. He never wants to stop working. That is why the child is as good as he is. You are special. There is no doubt about that.”

Curmel grew from a stocky, chubby kid to 5-foot-7. He is wise beyond his years, soft-spoken, approachable, very likable, and likes to take people out. He’s been labeled “Mayweather’s protégé,” even though he has the most power a Hall of Famer has had in his long career, by himself. He is willing and patient as he climbs.

He is a great future in sports without any burden.

Curmel will turn 19 next June 4. He finds himself the face of Mayweather Promotions—a good, friendly face.

It wasn’t long before the 11-year-old boy started crying and wiped his face to wipe away the tears. He now fights in front of thousands on the undercards of major shows as he moves up the ranks.

“If I could do it, go back to when the kid was crying in the bathroom after that loss, maybe I would leave the kid alone, because he’s been doing great so far,” Moton said. “I still remember being alone in that shop. It always pushes me. When I’m working and I’m tired, I think about that time and I don’t want to think about it again. It gives me the strength to work hard. My time will come. I have to be patient.”

And take the crying 11-year-old inside for what could be a memorable ride.

Tickets are on sale now 2300Arena.com [2300arena.com].

Joseph Santoliquito is an award-winning sportswriter who has worked for Ring Magazine/RingTV.com since October 1997 and is president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Follow @JSantoliquito