Today’s article is brought to you by Michelle Martin for Howard County Council District 2. Remember to vote on Nov. 8. Michelle asks people who want to display her yard sign to contact her at martinhococouncil2@gmail.com
There is an old saying, “you're never too old to learn,” and the truth is that it is possible to learn new things at any age. For a man or a woman to follow their heart and pursue their dreams, it can open a whole new perspective on a reality more profound that one could have ever imagined.
For Nick Kranz, the pursuit of boxing is something that has rejuvenated his spirit and given him a fresh perspective on life for himself and for his family. The 35-year-old native of Kokomo has been active with the Carver Boxing Club at the Carver Community Center for the last couple of years. The program which began in 2014, is a place where “young boys and girls can go to be taught stance, form, endurance, as well as respect for self and for others,” according to the club’s website.
It is really the first time in Kranz’s life that he’s ever participated in boxing in an organized form, though he has held a love for boxing since childhood.
“Coming up in the apartment complexes, it was always something we just picked up and did extracurricular,” said Kranz.. “I never did it in a sanctioned form. Kids I grew up with loved to put on boxing gloves, loved to meet in the park or even out in the street, so that’s what we did. But I never did it with any structure. I think a lot of that had to do with pride.”
To hear Kranz speak of pride registered with this author, in terms of what a beloved boxing instructor, Coach Law, once said: “People don’t want to fight because of fear of losing or getting tired and not being able to perform.”
In a society where it is easier for a person to pick up a gun to resolve an issue, versus squaring up, brushing it off, and moving on, Kranz believes there needs to be an adjustment made on that mentality.
“To me, it’s just that manly human nature,” said Kranz. “There’s not too much more manly to me than to stare in the eyes of a person and try to come out on top in a physical form; a dominant form, even,” said Kranz.
It appears Kranz’s love for boxing has more to do with genetics than an acquired passion. He shared early memories of time spent with his grandfather. Kranz grew up hearing stories about his grandfather from his mother, mentioning that he boxed for the Army while serving his country.
“I remember growing up, watching boxing with him,” said Kranz. “[Ever since that time], man, I have always just loved this sport.”
One aspect of boxing that Kranz spoke about in the most transparent way was how his faith and boxing coincide. He admitted that, “As a follower of Jesus and someone who wants to always reflect the love of God, it’s kind of a hard thing to mix because it’s punching people and being punched. It’s hard to set a boundary there.”
Despite the internal conflict that he feels at times, Kranz understands that the problems facing mankind are matters of the heart. He has the understanding that boxing as a sport, performed without malice in the heart, can proceed with little concern for putting his salvation in jeopardy. The physically demanding aspect of the sport of boxing is something that he appreciates, as well as the humbling aspects.
“There may be a guy out there that looks like the least intimidating person you ever laid your eye on; it does not matter. It’s in us, not on us”, Kranz said with a smile.
Kranz said he has been humbled and had to learn the hard way both in the ring and in life. He has had two blood brothers pass away in his lifetime, both before he was the age of 18. Two more friends (brothers) passed by the time he was 26. He grew up in a split home where he was loved, but it was not absent of chaos at times. There was a time in his life where, “alcohol was an issue for me,” he expressed.
In a deeply profound manner, Kranz articulated, “I believe the prayers of my parents and my grandparents were heard. I tip-toed on the boundaries for a long time.”
The brothers and friends that he had lost, the turmoil that he had endured in his life led him to a deep dark place, and yet he remains. Still standing on his own two feet by what can only be described as God’s immeasurable grace that kept him, he is able to live a life with his beautiful wife and two kids.
"I've had to fight my whole life,” said Kranz. “Spiritually, mentally, physically. Most of us do. My whole life I've been a fighter. Boxing is just a different fight."
Through boxing there have been numerous things he has correlated with each other, and he mentioned scripture that gave him a unique outlook: Philippians 2:12 (NLT)
“’Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear,’” said Kranz. “To get in that boxing ring, man, you kind of have to be fearless, but you have to have that reverence, that respectful fear.”
Kranz credited several individuals for contributing to his boxing journey: David Osborne, who has been an unbelievable encouragement to him throughout his life and his pastor of more than 20 years; Donta Rogers, Director of the Carver Community Center; and Josh Evans, who Kranz describes as a “brilliant coach” and a very successful pro boxer.
The goal for Kranz is to fight in an amateur fight. He doesn’t know if it will just be one, but it is something he feels he must do.