Jake Albert, 26, an amateur boxer born on Guam, has started a GoFundMe campaign for $3,000 to represent the Federated States of Micronesia in an amateur boxing match in New York.
The match is scheduled for Sept. 20 and is hosted by the historical Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn as part of their Amateur Boxing Gleason’s Gym Club Show.
Born and raised in Guam, the Chuukese boxer is training out of Guam Muay Thai in Mangilao and has fought in seven exhibition matches, holding a 5-1-1 unofficial record.
Albert’s matches have so far not counted toward his amateur record due to Guam not having an amateur boxing association. This makes his upcoming New York match his first official match and “international debut,” representing the FSM.
“I’m excited about it, but at the same time, I really have to push myself, because this fight is my first amateur fight that’s going to count towards my win or lose or tie, [but] I’m in it to win it for my first official fight,” Albert said.
Albert has been training for the last three years under Kru (Coach) Kevin Ekyotin, who he credits for helping him understand and develop his style of boxing.
“He’s not much of a boxing coach, but he tries his best to adapt to my boxing styles,” Albert said. “He’s been looking out for me. That’s what I love about him and the people in that gym. They’re welcoming and know different fighting styles, which I’m grateful for.”
Albert’s previous matches were “great experiences” and helped him learn about how to use and defend against different fighting styles.
He expects his composure and preparation will be his most important skills once he learns who his opponent is in the next few days.
“I’ve learned how to time everyone’s counters for the past years, learning everyone’s different fighting styles, and it just builds up my experience and knowledge,” Albert said. “[In New York], I am expecting someone that has more experience than the previous guys that I’ve fought for the past few years. I just have to stay calm, composed, and try not to overreact or gas out. I have to study my opponent in the first and second rounds, and from the third round, hopefully, it just goes nice and smooth.”
For the past few months, Albert’s relatives have been encouraging him and sharing their support for his big debut.
“I train four or five times a week, I have my rest days twice or once a week just to recover again, but it means a lot to me, and to be representing FSM,” Albert said. “That was one of my short goals to do, and hopefully I can do the same at the Pacific Games or the Micro Games, and one of my big goals is to go to the Olympics.”
Albert believes he is mentally ready but still has a long way to go physically.
“I’m still working on my conditioning,” Albert said. “I just started training [recently], due to late notice. They reached out for me last week on a Saturday, then I started training on a Monday to pick up my cardio as much as I can before the fight.”
The deadline for Albert’s campaign is Sept. 11, the day he plans to fly out from Guam to New York.
The money will cover his roundtrip flight as well as transportation, food, training, and area housing expenses; however, Albert is prepared to pay some expenses out of pocket should the campaign fall short.
The Foneni Achocho Sensu Athletic Club is also hosting on Aug. 24 a fundraiser to help finance Albert’s trip. The event is a 1-mile relay race in Tiyan at 5 a.m.
“This opportunity means a lot to me, not just as a personal milestone in my boxing career, but as a chance to put FSM on the map in the world of competitive boxing,” Albert said on his GoFundMe page. “I’m determined to make every moment count inside and outside the ring. This journey is the result of years of hard work, discipline, and dedication to the sport. While the spotlight of New York brings pressure, I carry with me the spirit of Guam and FSM, and I’m ready to show the heart and grit that defines who we are.”