The Code To Winning – Episode 051

"Mentality It Takes To Be a Pro-Boxer" with Lolo Harris

Host: Kagiso Dikane
Guest: Lolo Harris (Pro Boxer)
Release Date: September 2, 2025

Overview

In this episode of The Code To Winning, host Kagiso Dikane sits down with rising professional boxer Lolo Harris. At just 21, Harris boasts an 11-1 record and shares candid insights into the mentality, discipline, and experiences that have shaped his boxing career—ranging from sparring in front of Floyd Mayweather to training alongside Terence Crawford. The conversation covers everything from the stark differences between street fighting and professional boxing, the mental challenges of the sport, strategies for continual growth, and the importance of identity and self-belief in the ring.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Lolo’s Boxing Origin Story

• Started Young: Began boxing at age 6, guided and coached by his father.
• Early Discipline: “He always had me fighting in the apartments with other little kids... and always had me doing like 5 sets of like 50 pushups at the age of 6 years old.” (00:02)
• Turning Serious: Realized his talent and took the sport seriously after starting sparring at age 8. (03:12)

Adapting and Fighting Style

• Strategy Over Emotion: Discusses the difference between street fighting and boxing—“In a street fight, you’re not really thinking. You’re going off of anger. [In boxing,] you’re going off of what you’re thinking and thinking ability and skills and so on.” (05:05)
• Boxer Puncher: Considers himself a "boxer puncher," which combines technical skill with powerful punching—likened to Muhammad Ali. (07:44)
• Adaptability: Stresses the need to adjust fighting style to different opponents: “If it’s a counter puncher, if it’s a pressure fighter... You gotta be the one as a fighter in there to adjust to that style.” (08:32)

Experience in Top Camps

• Meeting Mayweather: “I met him when I was 16 years old... I got to spar in front of him in Vegas. So that was crazy, just him watching me spar. He fell in love with my style.” (05:59)
• Reconnecting with Floyd: Re-sparred in front of Mayweather at age 20, leaving a lasting impression.
• Training with Terence Crawford: Shares a coach and camp with Crawford, who is both inspiration and like family. (14:22)

Mentality & Mindset

• Hardest Part of Boxing: Admits that for him, there isn’t a single “hardest thing”—he’s conditioned for the rigors. (05:27)
• Dealing with Loss: Faced his only loss at 16 due to not making weight, bounced back stronger under better guidance:

  “Everything happens for a reason... I bounced back with, by getting with the right team... not even that, just getting better as a fighter inside the ring.” (11:55)

• Biggest Advice Received:

  “To be myself. Every time I step in the ring, even if it’s just sparring, to be myself. When I’m myself in the ring, it’s hard for somebody to deal with somebody like me.” (16:48)

Training and Preparation

• Camp Routine: Trains 6-7 days a week, involving “a lot of running, swimming, strength, conditioning, and boxing” (10:55)
• Training Duration: “Probably like seven, eight total [hours] a day.” (17:25)
• Holistic Focus: “We focus on every little thing... the highs and the lows, the weaknesses, everything. We focus on all of that because at the end of the day, we’re getting better.” (17:38)

Career Trajectory and Goals

• Short & Long-term:

  “I want to be the best Lolo I can be in this boxing, you know, I want to leave a mark for sure in this sport... and take care of my family...” (12:42)

• Vision for Future: Sees himself as “successful” in five years. (20:36)
• Path to Titles: Competes at 140 lbs (junior welterweight); focus is on “one fight at a time and just to keep winning” to advance in the rankings. (19:54)

Thoughts on Boxing Greats & the Sport

• Favorite Boxer: “My favorite fighter right now will be Terence Crawford.” (08:58)
• Legacy & Inspiration: Admits he hasn’t watched much old-school boxing, despite respecting names like Ali, Hagler, and Mayweather. (21:10)
• Mount Rushmore: Host names Ali, Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, and leaves the fourth spot open for Lolo Harris. Harris appreciates the gesture. (21:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Training:
  “I was always doing like 5 sets of like 50 pushups at the age of 6 years old.” – Lolo Harris [00:02]
• Street Fight vs. Boxing:
  “In a street fight... you’re not really thinking. You’re going off anger. In a boxing ring, you’re going off your thinking ability and skills.” – Lolo Harris [05:05]
• On Meeting Mayweather:
  “He fell in love with my style and fell in love with how proud I was as a person, probably, and then went on from there.” – Lolo Harris [05:59]
• Personal Philosophy:
  “To be myself... when I’m myself in the ring, it’s hard for somebody to deal with somebody like me.” – Lolo Harris [16:46]
• Ultimate Goal:
  “I want to be the best lolo I can be in this boxing... and take care of my family.” – Lolo Harris [12:42]
• Definition of Winning:
  “Being successful, I would say. I mean, there’s no other way to put it. Just being successful.” – Lolo Harris [22:18]
• On Future Vision:
  “Successful. That’s the key word.” – Lolo Harris [20:42]
• Host’s Mount Rushmore Suggestion:
  “Floyd has to be there. And… I think the fourth spot could potentially be a Lolo Harris one day.” – Kagiso Dikane [21:42]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Boxing Origin & Early Training: 00:02 – 03:12
• Street Fights vs. Boxing: 04:17 – 05:10
• Sparring for Mayweather / Mayweather’s Reaction: 05:43 – 06:51
• Fighting Style & Adaptability: 07:44 – 08:32
• Favorite Boxer / Training with Crawford: 08:52 – 09:02, 14:12 – 14:45
• Mentality & Overcoming Loss: 11:30 – 12:33
• Routine & Training Schedule: 10:55 – 11:30, 17:21 – 17:38
• Career Goals: 12:42 – 13:06, 20:26 – 20:45
• Advice from Mentor/Dad: 16:46 – 16:48
• On the Path to Titles: 19:46 – 20:11
• Boxing Greats (Mount Rushmore): 21:10 – 21:42
• Definition of Winning: 22:18 – 22:35

Final Words

Lolo Harris exemplifies discipline, humility, and relentless drive—attributes he attributes to his upbringing, team, and personal philosophy of authenticity. In his words:

“When I’m myself in the ring, it’s hard for somebody to deal with somebody like me.” [16:48]

His vision: keep improving, stay true to himself, take care of family, and become a success both in and outside the ring. For him, winning is simply “being successful.” [22:18]

Follow Lolo Harris: [@lolo_decodis_1 on Instagram] (22:49)