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Some people enjoy taking a Sunday afternoon stroll at FDR Park. Others prefer getting in 18 holes while the weather still permits.
Brian Cohen is the only one crazy enough to pull a Dodge Ram through The Lakes with a harness wrapped around his body. He then does a lap around the park or until he throws up, whichever comes first.
One look at his chiseled physique and most mistake him for a body builder or pro wrestler. But the 32-year-old with 18-inch biceps is a pro boxer who instills fear at first sight in his opponents. Three of his last four victories came via first-round knockouts. The resident of Seventh and Bigler streets, formerly of 12th and Wolf streets, is 6-1, 5 KOs; three of those wins have come since Aug. 31.
"Basically at the weigh-in, I win the mental advantage as a lot guys get very intimidated," the 1996 South Philadelphia High grad, who has fought as far west as Denver. Colo., said.
Dragging pickup trucks is only one aspect of Cohen’s outlandish training regimen. Starting at 3 a.m., he runs up to 90 minutes daily down Broad Street. Two hours later, he reports to his construction job and, when 2:30 p.m. rolls around, the fighter is in the gym sparring and using the speed bag. He puts in another two hours daily at Sweat Gym, 700 E. Passyunk Ave., where the focus is swimming and weights.
"I want to be the best at what I do," he said. "I am not trying to be cocky, but nothing can stop me. I am not scared of getting hit."
Most might tire out following the first training session, but Cohen has hopes of becoming world champ. His next ring appearance is scheduled for Oct. 18 in Indiana against a yet-to-be determined opponent. Cohen said he will fight for the World Boxing Federation and North American Boxing Council super middleweight championships. He also is in discussions about a possible Oct. 10 appearance in Tennessee.
Five matches over two months might seem like too many rounds for one body to take, but Cohen is ready for all comers. His previous bouts were four-rounders, with only one going the distance. The lone blemish came January ’95 when the fighter suffered a technical knockout at the hands of Theon Holland.
"It was a good learning experience," Cohen, a former Golden Gloves winner, said."I used to come out and try to bomb everyone out. I was kind of a glorified street fighter. After the loss, I started taking conditioning a lot more seriously.
"I just went in the gym one day and everything clicked."
Boxing is in Cohen’s blood. His father, Ivan, managed local fighters back in the day, including former middleweight champ Buster Drayton, as well as Andy Witherspoon, brother of former heavyweight champ Tim Witherspoon.
"I was always around boxing," Cohen said.
Growing up, Cohen played a year of football for Southern, but the punches and kicks of boxing and karate — where he earned a black belt — were much more appealing. He said he would consider giving Mixed Martial Arts a try and would go up against great street fighter Kimbo Slice, known for forcing opponents to submit within seconds of the opening bell.
For now, boxing remains priority No. 1.
If he one day makes star status, the fighter could earn enough to leave construction behind, but Cohen plans on sticking with both careers as the local company he works for is owned by his family.
"It’s a morning gig," Cohen said. "I don’t see myself stepping away from it. My family is very lenient with my training schedule, so I don’t want to leave them in the lurch."
The family members return the favor by attending his fights — everyone except Mom Donna that is.
"She just started watching my fights on DVD," Cohen said.
With the bout days away, the boxer, who also is a certified personal trainer, is monitoring his diet closely by eating six small meals a day. The week prior to a match, the diet is mostly chicken and tuna with minimal water, allowing him to maintain the required ring weight. Like most pugilists, Cohen rehydrates following the weigh-in.
The boxer hasn’t signed with a promoter and plans on keeping it that way as he said, "I don’t want anybody telling me what I have to do."
The short-term plans following Oct. 18 has Cohen looking to fight closer to home by year’s end.
"I have a pretty strong fan base in Philly, so I would like to do something here," he said.
