Javontae Starks on What the Future Holds

Javontae Starks does not want to be the next Muhammad Ali, in fact, he doesn’t know yet whether he will remain in the amateurs through the 2012 Olympics, or make his pro debut sooner, rather than later. Javontae does however know why he fights, and upon seeing the look in his eye, it isn’t hard to believe that whatever he may want, he will get.
Boxing has taken the 20 year old Javontae Starks to places he couldn’t have dreamed, most recently a trip to Dublin, Ireland for an international Golden Gloves tournament. Although Starks has seen different parts of the world, and had the opportunity to box with, and in front of some of the top personalities in boxing, one experience stands out to him, an invitation to camp with the 2008 U.S. Olympic Boxing team.
“I think my top accomplishment was being at camp with all the Olympic guys, working with Demetrius Andrade…chilling with Rau’shee Warren, Raynell Williams…working with some of the alternates.”
An experience like that might instill a drive in a world class athlete, and fuel his own Olympic aspirations, and Starks notes that the 2012 Olympics are on his radar.
“The deal is right now I’m possibly waiting to go to the 2012 Olympics, I think I’m a good candidate for that team, so we’ll see if that works out”
Should Starks crack the 2012 roster, it would seem to be a poetic Olympic story, given what he has overcome to reach that point. Amid graduation festivities in 2007 Starks suffered a gunshot wound to the leg, putting his life on the line, and boxing on hold. The gunshot wound may have been the only thing standing between Starks and a 2008 Olympic bid, but rather than break his spirits, that obstacle has put his life, and career into perspective.
“My mother is out here trying hard for my younger brothers, so the inspiration comes from wanting to keep going and making as much money as possible. My thing isn’t so much to be a great, all I can do is be the best that I can be, and make some money and invest my money smartly.”
It is clear that Starks knows what he is fighting for, not his own pride, but for the family that stands behind him. Being a prospect at the level of Javontae Starks makes solid pay days a safe bet for the future, but the only question is when Starks will take that leap into professional boxing. Starks seems to be timing his transition to the pro game at the moment, all the while building a stronger foundation with amateur titles, making for more lucrative contract offers from promotion companies.
“There is more money involved once you get more accomplishments under your belt. I am an amateur but everything to me is pro, I can’t lose anymore, the more I lose the more money is taken out of my paychecks.”
Whatever route Starks elects to take in the coming years or possibly months, amateur titles will not be lacking. Starks has struck gold in numerous tournaments nationwide, and built quite an impressive trophy case to date, but envisions something more for himself. Almost as if he feels he owes it to himself Starks has put a National title in his cross hairs, and does not intend to let anyone stand in the way of that goal.
“When I was in my crutches, I had never been ranked before, but I told people I will be number one at 152. I’m going on record to let everyone know I’m shutting it down this year at 152, I don’t feel like I’ve showed up at Nationals and had people saying that I really showed up, so I’m guaranteeing at least two more National titles, that’s a guarantee”
A National title would be Starks’ contribution to putting amateur boxing on the map in Minnesota, and another notch to the already illustrious resume’ that he has established. The career of a boxer is not unlike a storybook, there are highs, and lows. Starks has seen the lows, and that has put the highs into a new light. Whether the future of Javontae Starks holds Olympic glory, or a successful pro career remains to be seen. The rest of Stark’s story has yet to unfold, and perhaps that is why it’s so tempting to read on.