We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kalvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kalvin “Hot Sauce”, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

First off the meaning of success is subjective. Setting your own personal/ business goals and meeting those goals should always be personal and not compared to someone else’s “success”. Secondly, you have to figure out how to reach said success. People always are quick to say “hard work” but if I tell you to go outside and dig a hole in the ground it would indeed be hard work but it wouldn’t make you better or closer to your goals! (Unless you want to be a professional hole digger ha!)

For me success is being able to use the skills and talents the lord blessed me with to be able to provide and take care of needs for my family. The lord blessed me with great attributes and talents to be successful as a professional boxer and in return I use those attributes to provide for my wife and kids and also glorify his name!
Whether it was becoming a world champion or fighting the fights that other boxers don’t want to because it’s “too much risk” my success will always be determined by if my family is take care of or not.

Lastly, finding your “why” or your motivation for doing what you do has to be STRONG. Your journey towards your success will always pull and tug on your initial “why”. Sometimes reflecting on what you do and who you do it for will help you stay locked in on your goals!

Kalvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

alvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson began his professional boxing career in 2016. Nicknamed “Hot sauce” because he keeps it hot in the ring, the Super Middleweight boxer has an impressive 16-2-1 (11 KO) record and has ranked as high as #10 in the world in his weight division!
Since his pro debut, Kalvin has solidified himself as one of the best in the sport. He has been named the NAMA Middleweight Champion, the UBF Intercontinental Super Middleweight Champion, was the recipient of the 2018 Bennie Briscoe Philly Fight of the Year award, and has competed for the WBA (World Boxing Association) Super Middleweight World title on Showtime!
Kalvin graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2012 with his bachelor’s degree in Music Education on a music scholarship . He still lives and trains in Northwest Arkansas.

I am mostly proud of my beautiful and intelligent wife, Danielle, and our 5 children; Devion, Karter, Kadence, Kimora, and Kori Jo!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

During the my first statement/breakout fight in Philadelphia, it was such a high energy moment fighting in the oppositions hometown with his fans and promoter,etc. And then with the heated weigh ins the day before I was MORE than eager to punch him in the face during the fight!

So during the first round I was so hyped that I had whats called an adrenaline dump! I was so amped up and ready to throw that my body, more exclusively my legs, were abnormally fatigued and actually went numb from round 2 on!

Being the champion I am I had to figure out how to still get the job done and not show any difference. My coach was made aware of this by me in round 2 but still proceeded to give me instructions to do during the round like he didn’t hear me regarding my legs.

Each and every round I would remind my coach, “Hey, I still can’t feel my legs!” Until finally in the 6th round he finally responded “F*ck yo legs! Do this fo yo kids!”

At the moment I knew EXACTLY what needed to be done and I went out in the next round and dropped my opponent twice to secure the knockout victory!

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

I met my trainer, and now business partner, back in 2012.

I have heard about one of the fighters he trained and now how he lives in my current residence of Northwest Arkansas. Said fighter added me on socal media and we agreed to meet up and go for a short run.

The run went fine and the fighter asked alot of questions regarding my experience and my amateur career thus far. After the run he then said “Hey my coach wants to invite you to his crib to meet you and to spar”. I agreed and we set a date to meet up.

I arrive at the house and there’s this six foot two man standing by the back garage. I walk up and says “Wuddup dude?” I said “what’s good?” He replied “Kevin” I said “Kalvin” and then he invited me into his garage gym.

We got our gear on to spar. I sparred Kevin’s then fighter, I didn’t do the best in my opinion but Kevin was impressed enough to invite me back and train me. He saw the potential in me.

That started an on going father-son relationship which then turned him into my God parent of my now 7 yr old son, Karter, all the way now business partners of Straightright Boxing and Fitness!

Contact Info:

• Website: Hotsaucehenderson.com
• Instagram: @kalvinhenderson
• Facebook: Kalvin “Hot Sauce” Henderson
• Twitter: @saucehenderson