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56 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 75MOSTMAGAZINEMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 75Q: YOU%u2019VE MENTIONED DEVELOPING A SHORT FILM BASED ON YOUR DAYS AS A YOUNG BOXER. HOW DID YOUR EXPERIENCE IN BOXING SHAPE YOUR DISCIPLINE AND WORK ETHIC AS AN ACTOR?A: Acting is about confidence. Boxing taught me how to handle and control fear. There%u2019s always fear. If there%u2019s not a fear, a healthy fear, then something may be wrong. Before you step out on the stage for two hours, there%u2019s fear because it%u2019s the unknown. There%u2019s no safety net. So, I%u2019ve related acting to my boxing years. Whenever I%u2019m at an audition or shooting something%u2014when I walk into that room for the audition%u2014it%u2019s the same as stepping through the ropes into the boxing ring. There%u2019s no %u201cnot going in.%u201d I%u2019m going in that room to audition and I%u2019m stepping into that ring to fight. So, what I have to do is learn how to control my fear and anxiety so that I can handle myself in both situations. And the best way to do that is preparation. I walk into the ring with confidence because I%u2019ve worked hard and sweated and spent hours on the bag. Similarly, to walk into that audition room, I need to know that I%u2019ve done everything I can and I%u2019m prepared. Because in a boxing ring or in an audition, you don%u2019t know what%u2019s going to be thrown at you. I don%u2019t know the casting directors I%u2019m about to read for. And similarly, I don%u2019t know the guy I%u2019m about to fight. But I%u2019m going to%u2014in the moment%u2014make it work.In TV, you have to show up ready to go. No rehearsals, no safety net%u2014just strong choices and the ability to adapt on the fly.