Zach Randolph said there is boxing in his blood.

“My grandfather boxed when he spent time in the military, but I unfortunately never got the chance to meet him,” said Randolph, this year’s heavyweight runner-up in the Clarksburg Toughman contest.

 

A 2011 graduate of Bridgeport High School, Randolph said he always wanted to learn boxing skills and nearly three years ago, he started training.

 

“Three months after I started to box, I tried the Toughman,” he said.

 

Randolph won the heavyweight division that year and subsequently picked up another quick victory – the Rumble in the Rec 2016.

As he continued his training efforts with team MMA Outlaw with Steve Haning, Jason Bearden, Steve Roberts and Sam Beverly, he set his sights on more fights – and more wins.

 

Going into Toughman 2018, Randolph was undefeated. After losing the Jan. 30 championship round, his record is 10-1. Randolph defeated John Underwood by decision in preliminaries, but fell to Fairmont's Gerald Kelly in the championships. 

 

“I wasn’t happy with the outcome of how (the fight) played out, but I’m thankful for all the fans and family who came out and to Jerry (Thomas of West Virginia Sports Promotions) for putting on another good show together,” he said.

 

Randolph looks forward to more opportunities in the ring. In fact, he plans to turn pro before the end of 2018.

 

He continues to work hard, keeping himself prepared for the ring. That means being in good physical and mental shape. 

 

"Physical shape is the easiest part. I try to stay in fighting shape year-round because I never know when I will get the call asking to fight. The biggest change before a fight is sparring. We spar harder and a lot more rounds when in camp six to eight weeks before a fight," Randolph said. "Mental shape is the hardest - to stay calm and relax all nerves the day before and the day of a fight."

 

At BHS, Randolph was a 6’ 2” 195-pound tight end/linebacker for the Indian football team. After graduation, he earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science at Fairmont State University. He currently lives in Clarksburg and while attending physical therapy assistant school is working at RDR Energy Resources as a laborer.