‘Preparation, Ritual and Respect’ has a particular resonance with those involved in the world of Boxing; it is, in many ways, the ultimate expression of our themes. Windsor-born Ramon Levy-Vassie transformed a hobby into a career age 18, turning professional, whilst juggling personal pursuits. His early training in Cuba and Mexico accompanied by studies for a degree in Hispanic studies and modelling for the likes of Steven Klein; today he may be best recognised from a striking Arena Homme+ editorial and book shot by Paul Vickery and styled by the late Barry Kamen: “Boxer” a modern take on the Buffalo aesthetic.
Self-discipline and drive central to his everyday life, Ramon talks us through his demanding regime.
My interest in boxing started quite late, around 18. I played a lot of sport in school and when I left and fell out of the habit I started to feel sluggish. Boxing just sort of happened. I loved the fact that it was about me, about how I’m progressing, that there wasn’t a team relying on my progress. It’s a solitary sport in that way. I went to Barbados for a year after school; there’s a real culture around health and wellness there, that’s when I first started thinking about my own personal physical fitness.
When I first started I was shocked at just at how difficult and physically demanding boxing is. Your first sparring session is the toughest, I was exhausted within a couple of minutes, just finishing one round was a struggle. I was talented, I had the technique but the fact is, that will only take you so far, your level of fitness has to be incredibly high also.
Ramon wearing the Paisley Long Sleeve Shirt
I chose to do Hispanic studies at University, languages had always appealed to me. For my year abroad, I ended up in Cuba partly because of its strong boxing culture, but I found Havana a really difficult place to live, it’s tough to exist there day to day. So I eventually moved to Mexico City which was amazing, such a diverse landscape and such great people. I started modelling out there just to earn a living. I was studying and then boxing in my spare time. It was here that I first got approached by a high profile promoter.
For a fight, you’ll generally get at least 4 weeks. It starts with what we call periodisation of training. You begin with your base fitness to build a solid foundation and increase stamina, so longer runs, using the heavy bag, lots of continuous skipping. Then you increase the pace with more focus on the pads and more sparring. Then, about three days before the fight you start to peak, but of course you don’t want to burn out so those last three days you just keep relaxed and run through the motions.
Essentially it’s about repetition and self-discipline, having a plan and following it. Professional boxing is so consuming, it takes over your whole life, it’s a sport that’s very hard to understand unless you’re in it. But, for me it’s the sport where you see the results the quickest, the work you put in can give visible results within a week. Beyond boxing itself, it’s empowering to know that you’re as physically fit as you can possibly be and that makes you want it more.
Personally I’m a thinker, so I run through all the scenarios before a fight, what happens if he just keeps coming for me? What if he’s a tricky fighter? The good thing about intense training, about repetition, is that you feel ready and that builds your confidence. As the fight draws closer you can feel yourself getting more twitchy, more doggish, you begin psyching yourself up. It’s a surprise, you don’t think that’s in you and when you look back it’s like, woah.
If I have any regret it’s leaving Mexico. There’s a huge amount of mutual respect and dedication and I never felt the same connection as I did out there. There are guys who spend 2 hours on a bus just to get to the gym. Trainers earn very little, it’s a sacrifice day in day out. It’s such a humbling sport, there it was all about helping each other out, camaraderie. When you’re having a bad day there’s always someone there to pick you up. Even though you’re all on your own individual paths, there’s always that support.
Boxing is, in part, about self-expression and I’ve always had an interest in creating, in art. That’s why I enjoyed the “Boxer” project with Paul Vickery and Barry Kamen. Barry was an artist, an artisan. For both of them, the project was about being creative for the sake of being creative.
‘Buttoning up’ has been a part of the Ben Sherman DNA for over five decades. A simple yet deliberate act, a gesture that marks completion and a finishing touch.
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