Yoel “Soldier of GOD” Romero - SOLDIER

APRIL 17, 2019 - Anahiem, California

Being in the locker room with Yoel Romero was an experience unto itself. He’s jovial, accommodating, full of smiles but once it’s time to warm up and the hands to get wrapped, the tone of the room changes.

While keeping my distance as to not intrude on his process, I was picking my shots, releasing the shutter one frame at a time. Occasionally, Yoel would look over his shoulder, wink his eye or flash a smirk and for me, it was the sign he was at peace. He was happy, but ready for the war.

The air was thick with intention and his warm up movement became explosive and downright sinister, with his delivery of power to his coaches pads. I noticed a pattern in his warm up that could only be pre-fight visualization. I watched it play out a few times and right before he launched an overhand right, I clicked the shutter.

I knew I was done shooting for the rest of the night, as this image embodied all that Yoel was as an athlete, father, husband and friend. 

It says…”Put your worries and dreams on my back, I got it. I’m a soldier and it’s part of my duty “