Mark DeLuca Reality Check: Mike Ohan Jr.’s Uncertain Future

Mark DeLuca, a conditioning coach from Sacramento, has been in the lower ranks of boxing training for over thirteen years. He understood this situation very well when getting his fighter Mike Ohan Jr. ready for a match against the emerging lightweight contender Abdullah Mason. It was last Saturday’s match held in Centre Videotron, Quebec City, Canada where Ohan was put to challenge by a hopeful of the ring. As usual, Mark DeLuca did not lose sight of business and was quick to see what a force Mason could be, not mincing his words to say, he had a huge amount of talent.

A Battle of Expectations

The fight was less of merit and more a number game or rather a way of keeping expectations down and professionalism at par. That is why DeLuca’s main focus was to avoid getting blinded by passion and, most importantly, to protect his fighter. Finally, when Ohan entered the ring DeLuca knew the possible result because of Abdullah Mason’s increasing reputation and with 5 straight knockouts staring at him.

For Mark DeLuca, the challenge was as much mental as it was physical. He knew the fight would be tough but chose not to share his doubts with Ohan.

It was tough. I didn’t want to share my true thoughts with Mike because I didn’t want to skew his confidence, DeLuca said. You have to toe the line between a winner’s mentality and being realistic.I told Mike, do your thing, don’t lay down for anybody, and we’ll see how the cards fall.

Mark DeLuca: The Harsh Reality of the Ring

A gifted regional fighter, Mike Ohan was about to face a bright light for the first time but the situation was far from being favorable. The last time he gave out such stiff competition to an opponent was when he was knocked out by Delante Johnson in December 2022 in Madison Square Garden. On this night as Ohan is defeated by Mason, Mark DeLuca’s fears come true in this scene. Despite this though, there was never a moment that he stopped supporting his fighter. Regardless of the result the fighters and their fans learn about the importance of professionalism, tenacity, and the in-your-face nature of boxing.

A Trainer’s Reflection

Mark DeLuca, who is not used to these kinds of upset, had his underdog fighter Michael Ogundo knock out the previously unbeaten Lamont Peterson two years ago.

Han himself had competed and won most of the fight including a closely fought battle against Harry Gigliotti in a bruising fight at the Memorial Stadium in Quincy, Massachusetts last year. For Ohan and Gigliotti it must have been one of the most memorable fights of his career that he could always look back to. However, the trip of Ohan changed just over a year later and started a new course. Thus, it was against Mason that referee Alain Villeneuve halted the fight 40 seconds into the second round, a decision that may signal the end of Ohan’s boxing career as a professional.