There comes a time in every young fighter’s career when he must participate in what’s called a “crossroads fight.” Such fights pit youth versus experience, and the veteran is typically a still viable opponent who can upset the rising star. Get past the veteran and you can take your career to the next level. Fall short and it can kill all the progress you’ve made. Unbeaten lightweight Alejandro Paulino will engage in his crossroads fight on November 2nd at Mohegan Sun Casino, when he takes on the talented Toka Kahn Clary (29-3), whose only defeat in the last five years was a ten-round decision loss to three-division champion Shakur Stevenson. Two of Kahn Clary’s three career losses were to future world champions, Shakur Stevenson and Kid Galahad, and he made it to the final bell in both bouts. Kahn Clary has fought once since the Stevenloss, defeating Jonathan Oquendo-Arnaldi in 2022.
Paulino, who turned pro in May 2021 and now boasts an 18-0 record with 14 knockouts, told BoxingTalk.com, “I’m always motivated for my fights but I’m not going to lie. It’s a little extra motivation because he’s 29-3, he’s got the experience, he’s been on the big stages. It is motivating. I’m training super hard for this fight.” He added, “I try to train hard for all my fights but I’m training extremely hard for this fight. He’s got a lot of experience and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.”
Paulino’s string of victories has brought him closer to his goal of becoming a world champion boxer. He knows that a win over Kahn Clary gets him even closer. “Any step-up fight that I need to take, I feel like my team always, they let me know, like, this fight, you’re good.” He added, “We don’t say not to any fight, but every fight we take is for a step-up, so when we get to that time to fight for a world title, I’ll be ready.”
Paulino believes he’ll truly be ready by the end of next year. The champions in the 135-pound division right now are Stevenson (WBC), Gervonta Davis (WBA), Vasiliy Lomachenko (IBF) and Denys Berinchyk (WBO).
“This [fight against Kahn] is my first ten-rounder so it’s only up from here,” said Paulino.
Even at this point of his career, Paulino is enjoying the accolades and where his talent has brought him so far. “It feels great, amazing, that I’m getting this exposure, at this time in my career,” he said. Headlining at Mohegan and Foxwoods, two of the biggest casinos in the country. It’s just getting me ready for when I get to the next stage, and I will not feel pressured, cause I will already have experienced it before.”
Paulino has headlined at Foxwoods in the past but Nov. 2nd will mark his first time headlining at Connecticut's other major casino, the Mohegan Sun. Promoted by Rhode Island-based promoter Jimmy Burchfield, and trained and managed by Roland Estrada, they believe sky is the limit for Paulino as long as he stays dedicated to his craft. That shouldn’t be a problem because Paulino recently stepped down from his 9 to 5 job to better focus on his blossoming boxing career.
In addition, Paulino used to have to drive from his home in New London, Connecticut to Estrada’s gym in Rhode Island, five days a week, to train. “That’s dedication,” said Estrada. However, Paulino won’t have to make that trek five days a week anymore.
“Last winter I decided I’d have to figure something out for him before he burned out,” said Estrada. “I literally bought a 16 x10 shed and made a little house for him and placed it right in the gym driveway. Now he stays there Monday through Friday and goes home on weekends.”
Paulino said Estrada is “the reason I’m where I’m at right now.” He added, “He’s a great coach, one of the best in the business (and also the father of 2004 Olympian Jason Estrada). He’s the best coach in general, in my eyes.”
Estrada said one of Paulino’s best attributes as a fighter is “his ability to absorb knowledge and listen.”
“The kid has the goods,” said Estrada. “As we continue to tighten his defense eventually this kid will be a force in the lightweight division. As a person he’s as humble as they get. I often compare him to a young teenager. Young teenagers tend to listen because they think you know everything. As they get older, they think they know more than you. Hopefully he keeps that young mentality.”
Estrada added it’s been a great training camp, and there’s been proper preparation for Kahn Clary, a left-handed fighter. “Alejandro has already sparred 125 rounds versus southpaws and on November 2nd he will shine. Guaranteed.”
One year ago, Paulino was honored by the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame as its Professional Boxer of the Year. “It meant a lot,” said Paulino, “Because getting those awards is showing that hard work pays off.”
Paulino can definitely see himself competing at 140 pounds (junior welterweight) in the future, and possibly 147. For right now though, he’s focused on accomplishing as much as he can in the lightweight division. He loves the modern greats of the lightweight division, such as Lomachenko and Manny Pacquiao. Going further back in history, Paulino enjoys watching clips of Roberto Duran when he terrorized the 135-pound division. “He hit hard,” said Paulino.
Even if one day Paulino becomes one of boxing’s biggest stars, don’t expect him to flash his wealth like “Money” Mayweather. “Besides a world title, I just want to get a house, get my mom a house, my dad, whatever he wants, and help my family out, to be honest. I just want to be stable. I’m simple. I don’t like all that [flashy] stuff. I don’t even really like cars like that. I just want to win a world title and make enough money so my parents don’t have to work anymore.”
Tickets for the Nov. 2nd CES Boxing card, which features a total of 13 bouts, can be purchased at
cesfights.com/tickets.
