The career of professional boxer Chris “Milly” Ousley native of the Southside of Chicago began during his early 20’s, not a common starting point for someone who wants to pursue a career in boxing. Yet, he managed to beat the odds as he remains undefeated inside and outside the ring.
Growing up in Back of The Yards alongside his brother and mother, Chris had to step up and be the man of the house. As his father was locked up serving federal time because of drug charges.
“I made a better situation of how I grew up. I did things everybody said I couldn’t going against the system doing things the statistics said we couldn't do. That's what I really pride myself on.”
After visiting Vegas in 2013 days before the Canelo Alvarez vs. Floyd Mayweather match, the ambiance in the city leading up to the big fight inspired him to become a boxer.
When he returned home, he talked with his wife regarding the next steps in his career. It was either play professional football, which he knew he wasn’t great at or use his business degree. Instead, he decided to pursue a career in boxing.
“I told my wife, ‘you know what I wanna be a boxer.’ I went to a boxing gym, and within 18 months, I won a national championship, and I was in the Olympic trials.”
Chris came out of nowhere and began to make a name for himself without management or a coach. Within three months of training, he had his first amateur fight and won by a first-round knockout.
His pro career kicked off in 2016, still without management or a promotion team. Chis reached out to Golden Boy Promotions and politely rejected him by telling him they were going to keep tabs on him. Chris began to make a name for himself, and other promoters began to take notice.
The tables turned, and Chris received the call he was waiting on from Golden Boy Promotions in 2019 a few years after being rejected by them.
“I met with the VP of Golden Boy Promotions Robert Diaz, they had a contract for me within 24 hours, and the rest was history.”
Till this day, Chris is still unmanaged and does everything in house alongside his wife, who has a masters in business. Although he lacks management, which is unheard of in the boxing world, the people on his team keep him strong and determined.
“Chris is a great guy, second to none. He thinks boxing 24/7. He’s gonna leave [the gym] take a 4-mile run. He's just like clockwork trying to perfect his craft he knows where his work ethic and talents can take him.”
Super Bowl Champion
His determination to his career is unheard of. A day in his life revolves around working out and training as he wants to be one of the greatest ever to do it. Chris does not smoke or drink; he has been clean his entire life.
“I don’t think anyone works harder than him. Nobody outworks him inside the gym. He’s a demon he puts together these circuits; they are not for the faint of heart. Outside the gym, he’s a super cool super humble, loves his dog and loves his wife. You rarely run into somebody like him who’s super focused. He don’t party, he don’t drink, it's crazy, no bs.”
Chris is actively working on becoming a world champion. “I’m fighting to be great,” said Chris with confidence in his voice. He is not fighting for money or fame. He wants to be remembered as a humble guy who was the best to ever do it.
"Don't let anyone hold you back. I wasn't built to be a boxer; I became a boxer. I built myself. I wasn't groomed as a child to be a boxer. Look at how much I accomplished within a short amount of time."
Chris was scheduled to fight on March 28 at the Staples Center, but COVID-19 put that on hold. There's word of an upcoming fight happening sometime next month.
Follow his Instagram for updates @chrismily