Javon “Pop” Woodard, Jr.: A Real Shark in the Ring — Live at Gateway Arena
By Rocki Patrice Man, listen — if you wasn’t at Gateway Arena for Javon “Pop” Woodard, Jr.’s fight, you
By Rocki Patrice
Man, listen — if you wasn’t at Gateway Arena for Javon “Pop” Woodard, Jr.’s fight, you really missed a moment. This wasn’t just another boxing match — this was history being made in Atlanta.
Born in Raleigh, raised in the A, Pop came from the trenches and fought his way through life way before he ever stepped into a ring. His pops put him in boxing early, not just to teach him how to fight, but to help him channel all that pain and anger life kept throwing at him.
Boxing didn’t just save him — it became therapy. Every jab he throws now? That’s built off the hits life gave him growing up.
Before he even touched the pro leagues, Pop already had over 100 amateur fights under his belt. Ain’t too many out here with that type of grind. In a recent Rolling Out interview, he broke it down: amateurs? You gotta come out swingin’ fast — only three rounds to do your thing. But pros? It’s a chess match. It’s about patience, endurance, and smart execution.
And boy, did Pop show all that and more at Gateway! From the jump, the energy inside Gateway Arena was crazy.
I caught the ring side view up close and in the action! I mean it was highly anticipated, fans screaming, “Put him to sleep!” while his corner kept him focus reminding him like, “Take your time, Pop,”
And Pop? He was smiling and laughing in the middle of the smoke like it was just another day in the park. You could tell he was really having fun in that ring. At one point, we even caught him sliding his feet across the canvas like a raging bull, ready to charge.
He was in full control — mentally, physically, spiritually. I saw a post on his Instagram grid letting us see, his victory’s come from giving God his time. His team came together in prayer before he initiated any preparations for the fight that day. It speak volumes to the confidence he carry’s in and out the ring.
One thing that i personally appreciated about this fight was the opponent, Jason Valdez. Much respect seriously — dude was tough. He took shot after shot to the face. His whole upper body — from face to chest — was lit up red, and he still kept swinging. Knocked down ? He would get back up. Displaying real heart. But real fighters don’t just swing, are watching to see what I training can be applied to get the job done.
Pop peeped game, dude could eat shots to the dome, but his body was breaking down.
So what did Pop do? He went to work on the ribs — surgical with it. And when that final gut shot landed? Man, it was a wrap. Lights out. Fight over. Another Win in the books.
Pop is now holding a record of 14 fights, 12 knockouts, only 2 losses. The Great White for sure!!!
And when the ref raised Pop’s hand? The whole building erupted! His team jumped in the ring, celebrating with him as that win belongs to the team.
The most adorable sights of the night was Pop’s young son standing proud, holding up his daddy’s poster high for everybody in the crowd to see ring side.. he jumped the rope’s anxiously and if I recall correctly he threw punches, imitating his dad indicating the win!
The energy was crazy, the fans and others know they are witnessing the beginning of a legendary boxing career. Also in the building showing love.. None other than boxing legends Claressa Shields and Zab Judah. They knew what it was — they saw the same greatness the rest of us saw.
When you hear his name associated with anything, but more specifically TICKETS, you have to cop you one and see this greatness in real time. Check out this recap!
