KEEPING UP WITH KENZ
Photo Credit: Bradley Labonte
A New Beginning for Philip Bio
By Bradley Labonte
NARAGANSETT-Philip Bio wraps his hands and slides on his boxing gloves as he prepares for a grueling battle with another amateur opponent.
Born and raised in Cranston, R.I., Bio began boxing at the age of 10 and has been involved, off and on, ever since. He started fighting at such an early age because he was inspired by his older cousin, Vinny Pazienza, who was one of the biggest professional fighters to come out of Rhode Island.
Bio’s parents split up while he was very young and he grew up with his mother, but his father was heavily involved in his life and influenced him heavily to get involved with boxing because of his love for the sport. Bio also needed discipline in his life, which boxing provided, because of his acting up in school.
Now Bio expects the hard work to pay off, he is fighting another amateur on Oct.10, and wants to improve his 7-3 record.
“I expect to gain more respect,” said Bio. “As well as a better reputation in the New England area.”
Respect is very important in the boxing world. You want to have a good reputation so other boxers will want to fight you. Rhode Island is a small community, so everyone in the boxing world has a familiarity with each other, so you want to have respect among the other boxers.
Boxing hasn’t always been Bio’s first priority. He is a senior at the University of Rhode Island and he is studying journalism. Bio was originally a nutrition major, but his Writing 103 teacher inspired him to switch to journalism because of his love for sports.
“I would like to write about sports or do something in that field because that’s my life,” Bio said. “I love sports.”
Sports have always been a major part of Bio’s life. He not only loves boxing, but also played linebacker for his high school football team, Bishop Hendrickin.
When Bio first started attending URI, he took two years off from boxing. This was because the school was too far from the boxing gym where he trained. But with the recent opening of a boxing gym closer to URI, Bio has decided to get more involved again.
“I came back to boxing for the discipline, I wanted to get back on a routine,” Bio said. “When I wasn’t involved in boxing, I was just doing bad things like drinking and smoking.”
Choosing to attend URI was an easy choice for Bio. He receives free tuition because his mother is a teacher at the Community College of Rhode Island and his sister is a URI alumni. But with graduation approaching in the spring, Bio has some choices to make. Right now he is contemplating on joining the Air Force, like his sister.
