Amateur boxer Jamir Robertson and his father/trainer Mark Robertson are teaming up to craft – what will likely end up as – a world championship career. The 15-year-old prodigy currently holds an amateur record of 23-8; and has earned the nickname “Lil Future” for his viral training videos and the world-class technique he already possesses at such a young age.
Superstar Light Heavyweight Champion Andre Ward (32-0 16KO) vouched for the talent of “Lil Future” in 2017 and felt that Robertson was a step ahead of what he was as a teenager. “He’s ahead of his time,” he said. “The things he’s able to do right now are kind of unbelievable. I didn’t have that skill set and I wasn’t as nuanced as he is at his age.” Ward also had high praise for the involvement of Jamir’s father – Mark – who began crafting “Lil Future” at a very young age due to his own love for the sport. Mark said that he first entered a boxing gym when he was 24 years old and, although he never competed professionally, felt that boxing came easily to him. “Trainers started asking me how much experience I had, and I told them ‘I don’t have any experience,’” he said.
The boxing background of Mark had an immediate impact on Jamir and propelled him into his promising career; Jamir said that he already began competing around 9 years old! “I threw on some gloves at 2 years old,” Jamir said. “And then I started going to gyms around like 5 [years old.]”
Exposure for the young prodigy came quickly, and Mark said that WBA Bantamweight Champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-1 13KO) reposted a training video of “Lil Future” commending his poise and technique for such a young fighter. He added that Andre Ward messaged them and eventually Jamir became a viral internet figure leading to an appearance in Creed II in 2018. Jamir explained it as a life changing experience and said that it made him consider an acting career of his own. “It was amazing,” he said. “I had never been in a movie so of course I was nervous seeing the cameras and of course Michael B. Jordan… It really just inspired me.”
Currently, Jamir is continuing to perfect his craft in the ring, but his talent doesn’t stop there – Jamir also excels on the football field at Bishop McDevitt High School in Pennsylvania. “This is a big year for him,” Mark said. “He’s going to be the starting quarterback of his team – he’sentering the 10th grade.” Jamir said that he finds time to balance the two sports and spending time with his family. He also explained that his bond with his father is very strong – although they bump heads sometimes. Mark also explained their relationship as an advantage for Jamir to grow in areas that other fighters his age will not have the opportunity to. “Most kids might go to a boxing gym and train for 2-4 hours still – at some point – they go home,” he said. “That’s the end of their teaching. They can’t learn until they go back to the gym. I can be up at 11-12 at night and if he’s up I can teach him. His teaching never stops.”
We’re excited to see the growth of Jamir and his father and we will be watching every step of the way.
