Tom Yankello, even after three decades of experience, can’t be prepared for every detail on fight night. Atif “Lord Pretty Calvo” Oberlton, Yankello’s top current pupil, has an eye for flashy ring attire.
The 55-year-old Ambridge native and owner of Tom Yankello’s World Class Boxing Gym appreciates that Oberlton, who is from Philadelphia, attempts to weave his fight kits into the fabric of the city he is fighting in. Oberlton’s getup for his last bout in Detroit paid tribute to Carhartt, a company founded in the Motor City.
“The one thing I think is going to make Atif a star is not just ability, it’s marketability,” Yankello said. “He has that it factor. When he comes to the ring, he has a tremendous entrance. Every fight he has a different outfit that he designs. He always surprises us. He’s a good dancer and he dances a lot. He’s entertainment coming to the ring. He doesn’t let anyone down. He always puts on a show.”
Oberlton, who is 15-0 (13 KOs) and the seventh-ranked light heavyweight in the world according to the World Boxing Association, will next fight Steven Sumpter at the Gateway Center in Atlanta in an event held by Salita Promotions.
The event will stream on DAZN and start at 8 p.m. May 9.
Oberlton came to his open workout Monday in Ambridge sporting silver leather pants, a gold eagle necklace and a well-worn Def Leppard sweatshirt.
“It doesn’t take me long. I’m a real creative person,” Oberlton said. “I have a quick turnaround. I have to hurry up and get inspiration. Sometimes, I have to ask myself what am I inspired by? Things that inspire me are things that I wanted as a kid but I couldn’t afford. When I get inspired by those things, I want to bring it to light and bring that art into the world.”
While Yankello is benefitting from fashion lessons, he is helping Oberlton how to climb the championship ladder. Oberlton has won his previous seven fights by KO or TKO. Yankello believes Oberlton’s speed makes him impossible to touch.
Oberlton has trained with Yankello for three years. He said the biggest difference from Yankello’s coaching has been with his approach in the ring.
“Being relaxed and seeing the game differently,” Oberlton said. “Everything is slowing down for me now. I’m real comfortable in there. There are little small details and tricks that I’m doing in my game that the casual fan can’t see and pick up on. I know what I’m doing.”
Oberlton last fought in February and he captured the World Boxing Council USA light heavyweight championship under bizarre circumstances.
Oberlton’s opponent, Joseph George, passed out in his corner following the end of the first round. The two had a clash of heads early in the fight, but the match continued.
Yankello, who said Oberlton wants to become the world pound-for-pound champion,
“There’s a lot of guys who would be somewhat of a letdown because he didn’t get to show his stuff,” Yankello said. “At the same time, it wasn’t his fault. He took it in stride.”
Oberlton is ready to get back in the ring. After only having three minutes to show his skillset last time, Oberlton is ready to demonstrate his panache in another city.
“I always stay in the gym,” Oberlton said. “I live in the gym. There wasn’t nothing else that was different. I knew something else would be coming up quick because of how tragically that ended.”