At the heart of Southwest Atlanta, TJ Holt, a 30-year-old martial artist who doubles as a rapper, embodies the true grit of a 'Certified Fighter'. Stripped to the waist with determination etched on his face, Holt faced off in the ring inside a Canton strip mall, cheered on by fans seeking a raw display of fighting prowess. In early March, in a battle that was as much about personal conquests as it was about sporting glory, Holt once again proved his mettle.
Holt, who stands 5-foot-10 and tips the scales at 145 pounds, isn't just throwing punches for the sake of it. Certified Fighter, the lifestyle brand he co-founded with MMA fighter Anthony Smith, stands as a testament to their unforgiving road. Smith, serving as Holt's business partner, awaited the main event, ready to witness another chapter in their shared story of tenacity and ambition. "A certified fighter is somebody that's going to show up to fight no matter what. I can lose, I can win, I can come out with a draw," Holt told WABE. The brand, drenched in the spirit of its creators, was "ran by fighters, started by fighters, [and] created by fighters."
The dual pressures of fatherhood and career have forged Smith into an entrepreneur who balances the gloves with goals of a different nature. Inspired by the adversities that life dealt him, such as fatherhood and financial struggles, Smith aimed to turn his brand into a symbol for perseverance against life's daily battles. After a grueling fight, with his hands still wrapped in gauze, Holt found a moment of contemplative victory. "I’m just so happy man, I can’t believe it like … I came from nothing," Holt admitted to WABE, reminiscing over his journey from humble beginnings in Section 8 apartments to becoming a breadwinning pugilist.
However, behind the wins and the sweat, it's the family that has the deepest meaning for Holt. In another home, he celebrates victory with his daughter, his driving force and living example of what it means to be a certified fighter. Blossoming from the adversity he's faced, Holt's vision for his daughter's future is crystal clear. "I do this to show her that you can do anything you put your mind to," he proudly stated, as per the report from WABE.
