“I love following boxing” - BJJ superstar Dante Leon reveals boxing was the first sport he fell in love with as a kid

29-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu star and two-time IBJJF no go world champion Dante Leon of Canada is one of the most talented grapplers in the world today. But he wasn't always akin to turning opponents into human pretzels.

In fact, Leon says it was actually boxing that he was a huge fan of growing up as a kid, and the 29-year-old Canadian once wanted to become a fighter of 'the sweet science'.

Speaking to Jits Magazine in a recent interview, Leon revealed how much of a boxing purist he was when he was a kid.

The black belt world champ said:

"I love following boxing as a kid. That was probably the first sport that I immersed myself in, as far as researching past champions and watching current fights, reading Ring magazine, and things like that, probably since I was five or six years old."

Today, Leon is one of the fastest-rising BJJ stars in the world's largest martial arts organization. This weekend, he gets to climb the divisional ladder once more and will be looking to put on a show.

---

Dante Leon to face tough Tommy Langaker at ONE Fight Night 27 on Prime Video

Canadian grappler Dante Leon is set to face Norwegian star and former ONE world title challenger Tommy Langaker in a battle of talented jiujiteiros.

The two are set to lock horns at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, January 10.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.