Alex Myers (0-0 MMA, 0-0 PACF) is looking to learn from the best.
Although he is fighting out of Paperstreet BJJ in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, Myers trains 1-2 days a week with current Cage Fury Fighting Championships Heavyweight Champion Zu Anyanwu at MPR MMA in Middletown, Pennsylvania.
In five days, Myers will make his professional debut against Lazarro Gonzalez (0-0 MMA, 0-0 PACF) at PA Cage Fight 27 inside Woodland’s Inn and Resort in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania April 15, 2017. Anyanwu will not be cornering the 26 year-old as Myers’ coaches Jason Frawley, Benny McGukin and Joe Coughlin fill the positions.
While Anyanwu may not be there to share advice when Myers is in the cage, he helped the young heavyweight develop his skills as he makes the move from amateur to professional.
“The chance to work with him and have him give me some advice has improved my game by leaps and bounds,” Myers said. “Being able to work with another heavyweight let alone one of the top guys on the east coast,if not the country, has been huge.”
For the last three months, Myers made the trip to MPR to train. The Horsham, Pennsylvania resident has no problem finding heavyweights to train with, but he didn’t want to pass up the opportunity. .
At Paperstreet, most of Myer’s training partners weight 200 lbs. or more. Myers chose to work with Anyanwu because the champion is where he wants to be, at the top of the heavyweight prospect list
“He (Anyanwu) brings experience, knowledge, confidence and a strong mindset,” Myers said. “All of it standouts.”
Anyanwu is a three-time CFFC heavyweight champion. Most recently, he defended his strap by finishing Shawn Teed via second-round TKO at CFFC 63 Feb. 18, 2017.
He is currently riding a four-fight win streak with wins against Teed, Joe Pinto, Plinio Cruz and Chris Birchler. He is tagged as the No. 2 ranked heavyweight in Pennsylvania according to Tapology.
As Myers looks up to Anyanwu, the champion learns from him as well. In fact, Myers helped Anyanwu in his preparation for his title defense against Teed.
The 35-year-old has high expectations for Myers.
“He has a lot of potential,” Anyanwu said. “He could be the next great heavyweight out of the regional scene, if stays consistent.”
Myers will meet Gonzalez on the PA Cage Fight main card. Like Myers, Gonzalez finished (4-1) as an amateur.
Although his opponent earned three finishes out of four victories, Myers said his camp prepared him well.
“He is a brawler, has some pop in his hands and decent cage work,” Myers said. “But I have the size, skill, and the training advantage.”
Myers’ career is beginning. With high hopes to be at the top of the heavyweight division in the future, Myers continues to work with Anyanwu.
At the end of the day, Myers is looking to improve and Anyanwu is helping him accomplish that.
“It’s been one of the best things to happen to me in terms of skill development being able to work with Zu,” Myers said. “He has had a major impact on me.”
By NJ MMA News Staff