Brad Marchetti, a professional boxer and a boxing handicapper, has a passion for boxing inside and out. He even admits himself that if you looked inside his brain you would see a big boxing glove, and if you look on the outside, he’s got a boxing glove tattoo on the back of his neck. “Boxer Brad” lives and breathes boxing and has dedicated his hobbies, exercise, profession, and even his women (he gives them boxing lessons!) to the sport.
When I was in Miami to interview Peter Gold about Vegas Insider and the US facing handicapping industry, I also had the pleasure of meeting Boxer Brad in his very own element…the boxing ring. I learned a lot about Brad and boxing that day, everything from how Brad’s grandfather sparked his interest in boxing at age five, the history of Brad’s boxing career, why being a boxer himself has provided Brad with a distinct advantage when compared to other boxing handicappers, and how the internet has changed the boxing handicapping industry. To top it all off, at the end of our interview, Brad gave me an authentic boxing lesson which I thoroughly enjoyed. He is one hell of a teacher, so be careful! I can probably kick your ass now.
Check out my interview with Brad to learn more about his boxing career, his experience as a boxing handicapper, and where can find his picks. In the meantime I will leave you with this… “He’s not human. He’s like a piece of iron!”- Drago, Rocky IV
Interview with “Boxer Brad” Marchetti, Professional Boxer, Boxing Instructor and Boxing Handicapper
RL: Why did you become interested in boxing? How old were you? Give me the background on your profession.
BM: My grandpop was a boxer and I had an interest ever since I saw Rocky when I was 5 years old. I started training in a boxing gym when I was 13 but didn’t box competitively until I was 24. Now I am 28 and in search of my first pro fight. My expertise outside of the ropes is predicting winners for gamblers on all major boxing bouts along NFL games.
RL: You have a tattoo on your back- what does it mean? Tell me the story.
BM: I got a tattoo of boxing gloves on my back with one Italian and one American in dedication to my grandpop who passed few years back. It was done by Ami James on the TV show Miami Ink on an episode called skate or die. Ami and I actually box against each other frequently and he’s pretty good.
RL: You are professional boxer in addition to a boxing instructor. How many matches have you participated in? What’s the best story you have from a boxing match?
BM: I have had 13 amateur boxing matches and competed in the Florida State Golden Gloves twice. My record is 10-3 with 7 KO’s. I am currently looking for my first pro fight and should be getting a date in February. In my second fight I had to fight this guy that was much bigger than me and I was scared to death. My friends came into the dressing room before the fight to pump me up and I told them to get me out of the arena before I got killed. My friends cornered me and told me if I didn’t go fight I had to pay them all back the price of admission they had paid to watch me. Long story short I knocked the guy out in the 2nd round. After that fight I never doubted myself.
RL: When and why did you start handicapping boxing matches? Didn’t you have a nickname and a following when you were very young as your predictions were usually correct? Tell me the story.
BM: I used to write a homemade boxing newsletter predicting the winners to local fights that I would pass out ringside. After some of the fight goers noticed that most of my picks won they started calling me Einstein. I started a sports service a few years back called Einstein Picks. I hit 15 straight NFL winners in 2007 and have won various online handicapping contests. I started making NFL picks when I was 9 years old in the local newspaper against my grandpop. He showed me how to handicap games and even as such a young kid I took it very serious. I outpicked him almost every week and he would always be amazed.
RL: What is your background in handicapping? Where can we find your predictions and articles?
BM: I have been working as an online handicapper for a while various internet tout sites. I currently handicap for Onlinesportshandicapping.com which is where I give out predictions and in-depth analysis on various sporting events. I think this website is the best that I have worked for so far.
RL: As a boxing handicapper, you have such an advantage as a professional boxer. Why?
BM: I think having been in the ring I understand the dynamics involved more than the average fight handicapper. I see certain things in fighters that probably can’t be seen by someone that has never been in the ring. There is a lot of psychology involved with boxing and I can usually gauge a fighters psyche pretty accurately. I also have my own rating system where I break down a fighters skills on 1-10 scale with factors like power, speed, stamina, defense, ring generalship etc….
RL: How has boxing handicapping changed and developed over the years? Are you using the same tools to predict the outcome of a match as you did 10 years ago? Has the internet changed things drastically?
BM: Fight handicapping has changed because of the ability to view a weigh-in online. In the old days you had to be at the weigh-in to see what type of shape a fighter was in at the scales. Now you can view weigh-in photos or video on your couch. The internet also gives you the option of shopping for the best possible fight odds at different sportsbooks which is a major advantage.
RL: What are your plans for boxing in the future? Will you continue to compete? Will you continue to train?
BM: My goal is to become a champion as a boxer and I won’t stop until I reach that goal or I am physically unable to do so. Even when I stop boxing competitively I will still train for fitness and teach others. If you opened up my brain there would be a big boxing glove inside. I love this sport and will always be involved in some form.
RL: Did you have fun training BodogBecky how to box? Why or why not? Was she any good? HA!
BM: I loved training Bodog Becky she is a natural. She hits hard but is far too pretty to be a boxer!
