Devon Burgess moves quickly, almost dancing around the boxing ring, ducking and swaying, dodging back and plunging forward. He talks almost constantly, coaching his sparring partners — motivating them, telling them how they can use his moves to their advantage, cheering them on when they land a good punch.

At 23, Burgess is the number one-ranked heavyweight division fighter in USA Boxing’s Pacific Northwest Region. The Naval Aircrewman Operator 3rd Class  with Maritime Patrol Squadron (VP) 40 on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is headed to Colorado Springs, Colo., later this month to fight for the national title. If successful there, he has a chance at his dream – the Olympic Trials.

“I have two dreams,” Burgess said last week during practice with the Whidbey Island Boxing Club. “To fly for my country and to fight for my country. I get to fly for my country through my job. But I also hope to fight for my country at the Olympics.”

Early start

Born and raised in Detroit, Mich., Burgess started boxing at the age of 15. He said he first got into it to try to become closer to his father. He also wanted to set an example for his younger brothers and sisters.

“Coming from Detroit, it’s easy to be distracted growing up,” Burgess said. “I had to set that example for them. I wanted them to know that no matter what, you can still accomplish your dreams.”

Burgess enlisted in the Navy two years ago. He was assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island last November and said the first thing he did was look for the nearest gym. He settled on the Whidbey Island Boxing Club and coach Rob Sturdevant. According to Sturdevant, Burgess has a lot of good experience and training, and possesses a key element necessary to succeed.

“Besides learning good boxing skills, he is also a very dedicated, hard worker,” Sturdevant said. “The best boxers are the ones who have natural talent and are hard-working.”

There are currently about 15 to 20 boxers who are part of the Whidbey Island Boxing Club. There are approximately 20 clubs in the Pacific Northwest District, which is part of Region 12. Region 12 includes Alaska, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. USA Boxing is amateur, or Olympic-style boxing.

“The ultimate goal (of USA Boxing) is to qualify for the Olympics,” said Sturdevant. “It’s geared toward juniors, or boxers from eight to 30 years old.”

The basic rules are fairly simple: Men’s bouts consists of three, three-minute rounds. Judges award points based on legal blows. The boxer with the highest number of scoring blows at the end of a typical bout is the winner.

In the upcoming championship in Colorado Springs, Sturdevant said Burgess will participate in what is called a box-off, but he can only box one bout a day.

“If he works his way through and wins, he is the U.S. champion and qualifies for the Olympic box-off,” Sturdevant said.

Winning strategy

While boxing is obviously a physical sport, Burgess said the mental aspect is just as important to him.

“It’s a real mental game,” he said. “It’s a true test of your integrity and your will to strive for something. That’s why I continue to train, to build on my knowledge and skills.”

One of the things Burgess has brought to the local boxing club is a solid training background. According to Sturdevant, Burgess has trained at some of the best boxing gyms in the country. That experience is something Burgess is happy to pass along to other boxers.

“I saw an opportunity to be a fighter and to give what I have back to others,” Burgess said. “I’m always willing to share what I know.”

And so he does, sharing tips, tricks and strategies with the younger boxers in the club. The three-minute rounds go quickly, but through them all, Burgess encourages not only the boxer in the ring but those waiting to spar with him, pausing between rounds to explain some of his strategies over the ropes.

And strategy is important for Burgess, especially since he fights in the heavyweight division. At 5-feet, 9-inches tall and 185 pounds, he is smaller than a lot of the boxers in his division.

“I am one of the shortest heavyweights I know,” Burgess said. “But my size has become my advantage, because I had to learn to think about what I was doing.”

In Burgess’ mental game, he’s playing chess, while a lot of his opponents are just playing checkers. He can anticipate a checkers move, countering with a chess move and outsmarting his opponent.

And he feels his height gives him another advantage.

“I like fighting bigger guys,” he said with a smile. “They’re slower and they fall harder, too.”

For now, Burgess said he applies all his free time to boxing, watching fights and training hard as he reaches for his Olympic dream.

“It’s more than a hobby, it’s a way of life,” he said.