Philippines, 31 May 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


'BORN FIGHTER' ABABIY DRIVEN BY FAMILY LOVE

PhilBoxing.com





‘White Chocolate’ says he’s ‘fighting for his dreams’ as he continues pro ride

Nikita Ababiy fights under the bright lights of the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Saturday night, live on DAZN in the US, Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and distributed globally on FITE – but in the latest episode of ‘Born Fighter’, the rising star emotionally opened up on his humble beginnings.

Ababiy (7-0 6 KOs) has dazzled since his debut in Chicago last October, stopping all but one of his opponents so far and winning five of those fights in the opening round. The larger-than-life New Yorker has danced in the ring after his wins and like the main eventers on Saturday night – KSI and Logan Paul – loves to reveal his playful side on his YouTube channel; but there’s much more to the 21 year old than flossing and fighting.

Ababiy is the latest Matchroom Boxing USA talent to sit down with Lauren Gardner for the YouTube series ‘Born Fighter’ and ‘White Chocolate’ became emotional when talking about his humble beginnings and how his drive to succeed in the ring is based on helping his family.

“I hadn’t previously told anyone this but until I was 20, I was sleeping in a bunk bed, I didn’t have my own room until 20,” said Ababiy. “No-one has seen that. When I turned pro I moved my family out and we got a new place, and that’s my switch to perform in the ring because I know my opponent is trying to take everything away from me, so I have to prevent that as I have a bunch of people depending on me.

“Everyone fights their own demons. I remember all my friends talking about ‘man caves’ and their gaming set up and I never had that, we didn’t have the space, but now I am almost 21 and it’s getting better and better from here.

“Now we’ve moved to a bigger place it feels weird as we’re far apart now, I remember in the old place we were always together as it was small, so you would come home and we’d be together and wake up and we’d be together, and I miss that. Because of training camps I’m always in my room resting and mt Dad is in the living room waiting for someone to come in.

“My family is so supportive of me. People look at my Instagram and think ‘this kid has everything’ and that’s not true. Everything on Instagram is the best side of me, but they don’t see behind that.

“My parents have always been there for me and given me everything, I’m so grateful to them. They’re my best friends with my sister.

“Looking back at my childhood, I loved it. My Mom always complains to my Dad that ‘all he ever did as a kid was train, train and train’ but looking back I only remember the best moments, it was always fun and I don’t regret any of it. Fight for your dreams.

“It’s very different now and I am doing it for them. I don’t care about the fame or any of that bullshit, I am doing it for my family and my future family.”

Ababiy takes his spot on a packed card in Los Angeles, topped by the rematch between YouTube sensations KSI and Logan Paul.

Two World champions defend their titles as Devin Haney (23-0 15 KOs) puts his WBC Lightweight strap on the line for the first time against Alfredo Santiago (12-0 4 KOs) and Billy Joe Saunders (28-0 13 KOs) makes his American debut and defends his WBO World Super-Middleweight title against unbeaten Argentine Marcelo Coceres (28-0-1 15 KOs), and he is joined on the card by a quartet of Eddie Hearn’s talented rising US stars in Nikita Ababiy (7-0 6 KOs), Diego Pacheco (6-0 5 KOs), Reshat Mati (4-0 2 KOs) and Alexis Espino (4-0 3 KOs).




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Lieutenant Delfin Boholst: Soldier, Boxing Coach, Mentor
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • O’Shaquie Foster vs Raymond Ford: Bad Blood Equals Good Fight
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • WBC Issues Rules Clarification for Designating David Benavidez Mandatory Challenger to Noel Mikaelian External Inbox Andre Courtemanche -- Big Media Buzz
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • FOSTER VS. FORD – WEIGHTS AND THE FINAL WORD AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • AWE to Air Live the WBC World Title Rematch of Kevin Lerena v. Ryad Merhy this Saturday
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Juego Todo exists in two powerful dimensions
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • ‘The Homecoming’ Postponed in Vancouver
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo to Defend Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Titles Against the Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy now trains at MP Davao for Collazo's fight
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Johann Chua claims Duya Airplay Sport 5800 Charity Cup Crown, pockets US$50,000 tops prize
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • “While others debate governance, the IBA continues to deliver.” IBA CEO & Secretary General Chris Roberts OBE on the organisation’s resilience and global ambition
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • MP Pro Announces Signed Undefeated Prospects J'Hon Ingram, Amir Anderson, David Lopez, and Kayla Gomez to Compete on "Pugilist Revolution" June 19 in Long Beach, California
    , Sat, 30 May 2026
  • Canoy to challenge Collazo on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • UNDEFEATED SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNIE ALVAREZ RETURNS TO THE RING ON JUNE 13 IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • 20 Matchups Set for 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management, To Determine 2026 USA Wrestling World Championship Teams
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • RJJ Boxing & “RJJ Saving the Kids” Presents World Boxing Association International Middleweight Championship! Natasha “The Nightmare” Spence and Maricela “La Diva” Cornejo
    , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Taguig boxing clinic starts
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 29 May 2026
  • Brico Santig Wins IBF “Most Active Promoter” Award
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • FOSTER AND FORD IN FIERY FACE-OFF IN HOUSTON
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Tank Davis could return later this year
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • GM Joey Antonio to compete in Asean Sr chessfest in Singapore
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Murat Gassiev to defend his WBA Heavyweight crown against Yoka at IBA PRO 19
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • ‘Not a Kid Anymore.’ Edward Vazquez Talks About How He’s Matured While Training to Face Daniel Lugo on ProBoxTV in Friday, June 5, Main Event
    , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • Remulla, Ferrer, Matro to grace Cavite Inter-Town Chess Tournament this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 May 2026
  • McHugh next for Dy
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 May 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.