Braulio Ceja Navarro

Professional Boxer

October 23, 2026·By: Mbaire

Photo Credit: Braulio Navarro

"I view emotions as signals from my body telling me what's going on internally, but they don't determine my actions."

At 21, Braulio Ceja Navarro is a professional boxer working toward his dream of becoming a world champion. Behind his record are years of training, sacrifice, and learning how to stay focused when his mind and body are pushed to their limits. In this conversation with Akilis World, Braulio shares how he trains his mind to respond under pressure, why he sees fear as a signal rather than a command, and what boxing has taught him about confidence, discipline, and life.

At just 21, you've already accomplished a lot in boxing. But beyond your record and achievements, who is Braulio Ceja Navarro?

I'm a brother, an uncle, a son, and a friend. I'm more than just a professional athlete. I'm also a regular person. I feel like I'm a very ordinary person, but I strive to do extraordinary things. Outside of boxing, I just try to be the best person I can, have a good heart, and have great intentions.

You've built an impressive record as a confident boxer. Where does your confidence come from, and how do you keep it from turning into overconfidence?

My confidence comes from the work I put in. I can look back at my week and see how many runs I've done, how many hours I've spent in the gym, and the improvements I'm making. My confidence isn't something that comes from thin air and can be broken easily. It's built through preparation. As far as overconfidence, boxing has so many levels. You'll always be humbled, whether it's by your coach, another boxer, or life itself. I understand that I still have a lot more to learn.

You once accepted a fight against a heavier opponent with just three days' notice. What went through your mind when you made that decision, and how did you know you were ready?

I knew it was a risk. Three days isn't much time to prepare for a fight, especially against someone heavier than you. But I also knew how much work I'd already put in. I wasn't going into that fight thinking I had nothing to lose. I believed in my preparation and trusted myself to figure things out. There's always going to be some uncertainty in boxing. You never know exactly what your opponent is going to do or how the fight is going to play out. But if you spend too much time thinking about everything that could go wrong, you start doubting yourself before you've even stepped into the ring. For me, it was about trusting my abilities, staying focused, and being willing to adapt.

When a fight isn't going your way, how do you manage your emotions and figure out what to do next?

One of the biggest things I rely on is my team, my coach, and my corner. They have an outside perspective of the fight, and I have full trust in them. I also pride myself on being a fighter who can adapt to any situation. The nervousness and fear are always there, but you train yourself to manage those emotions. You've got to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. I purposely put myself in situations where I don't feel comfortable, like traveling to spar at gyms far from home. Over time, you build a tolerance for that discomfort, and you learn how to adapt.

Have you ever felt afraid or doubted yourself in the ring? How do you keep those emotions from affecting your decisions?

Of course. I've had countless times where doubt and fear started creeping into my mind. I view emotions as signals from my body telling me what's going on internally, but they don't determine my actions. At the end of the day, I'm the one making the decisions about what I do next. I can acknowledge what I'm feeling without letting those emotions take control. I'm not going to let my emotions decide for me.

During a fight, you have to process what's happening and make decisions in seconds. How do you train your mind to react without overthinking?

Repetition. Doing it over and over again. There are days I'll sit in front of a mirror and practice the same move for 30 minutes straight. It feels super boring, even useless. But when I step into sparring the next day, it comes out naturally because I've already done it so many times.

Some days you feel great, and other days you're tired or simply not in the mood. How do you push yourself to perform even when your mind isn't in the right place?

Discipline. That's the number one thing you need as a boxer. You're going to have days where you feel great and days where you don't want to go to the gym. But this is my job, and I have to show up. Sometimes 100% looks different than other days. Some days I'm happy, dancing, hitting the bags, and having fun. Other days my body hurts, and I'm sore, but I still give 100%. It might look different from the day before, but if you're giving 100% that day, you're giving all of yourself. At the end of the day, dedication is what I rely on, not motivation.

How important are sleep, nutrition, and recovery to your ability to focus, regulate your emotions, and perform?

Sleep is my number one thing. I'm a big sleeper. I'll sleep nine to ten hours if I can, and then take naps throughout the day. I cook most of my meals and make sure I'm giving my body the fuel it needs. Sometimes recovery is boring, but it's necessary. All those small details affect my mood. If I don't get a good night's rest, I could be miserable the next day and not want to train. So I try to set myself up for success.

What's been the hardest sacrifice you've made for boxing, and what keeps you going when things get difficult?

The biggest sacrifice has been being away from my family. They're ten hours away in the Bay Area, while I'm here in Southern California. But what keeps me going is knowing I'm not just doing this for myself. As I rise, the people around me will rise as well. Knowing that the benefits will spread to them keeps me motivated. And whenever things get really bad, they're only a FaceTime call away.

Does faith play a role in how you handle uncertainty and pressure?

Faith plays a huge role in my life. I'm trying to achieve something a lot of people see as crazy. Without faith, I wouldn't be able to believe in that dream. It would just stay a dream. My faith keeps me positive and working toward becoming a world champion.

Looking back, what's the biggest lesson boxing has taught you about life and yourself?

I feel like boxing is really a metaphor for life. There are going to be moments when you get knocked down, but you've got to get back up and keep fighting. Your losses aren't always just losses. They're also lessons and wisdom you can take forward in life. Boxing has also taught me patience. I want to achieve my dreams quickly, but I understand that I have to work my way up there. It's shown me how strong-willed I am, but it's also helped me recognize where I need to improve. More than anything, boxing has helped me grow and mature as a person.

Braulio Ceja Navarro

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