Emmanuel “Mannie” Chance stepped into the world of boxing at just five years old, inspired by his dad, Roger, and older brother, Rajon Chance.
“I remember just going to shadow box and hitting the bags with my dad and two older brothers,” Mannie recalls. Growing up with two older brothers, Rajon and Jahlyte, boxing quickly became a family business. The support and bond Mannie, his brothers and their dad created through boxing laid the foundation for Mannie’s future in the sport.
Family is the core of Mannie’s journey. His relationship with his family is strong, as he emphasizes how important his bond with his brothers is.
“I wouldn’t put nobody before them,” he stated on his relationship with his brothers. The Chance brothers grew up boxing in the house and built a relationship that will last a lifetime.
His younger sister, Kenya, also plays a significant role in his life. With a smile on his face, Mannie shares that his drive to succeed is fueled by a desire to uplift his entire family.
“I would do anything for her. I want to be the best role model possible.”
“I am just a people person,” Mannie says while reflecting on what is important to him outside of boxing. “I like to check up on my friends and family. I smile all the time, but I know sometimes a smile is just for show. So, I just like to make sure everyone around me is good before anything.”
Mannie credits much of his mental and physical toughness to his older sister, Neagesti, who often babysat him while his mom was at work and his dad and brothers were at the gym. Nakiya, Mannie’s mom, provides Mannie unwavering support and helps him through any struggle. She is also the reason that he puts all his hard work in at the gym.
“My mom is my everything,” he says. “She is a Superwoman. If something seems impossible, she will make it possible. I just want to succeed for my family and to help them as much as possible.”
Mannie’s first taste of competition came during the Silver Gloves tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. Winning his weight class filled him with joy and solidified his love for boxing. “That was the happiest moment of my life,” he says with a big smile. From that moment on, he was on the national radar, emerging as one of Team USA’s Boxing prodigies as he prepares for the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships.
Shakur Stevenson, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist and former world champion set the foundation and standards for Mannie, as the two grew up in the same area and can often be seen training together. Having grown up together in the same gym, Mannie has seen firsthand how Shakur navigates both the ring and life outside of it.
“Shakur has been a huge help to me, not just in training but in how I approach life,” Mannie explains. Stevenson’s guidance has been vital, especially during tough training sessions and moments of self-doubt.
Chance has a rare talent, which allowed the sport just naturally come to him with ease. Since he was five, he performed at the highest level and would often exceed all expectations. He would go on and take a two-year break, feeling the sport had lost its spark. During that time, he focused heavily on football and simply enjoying his life. He returned to boxing in 2016 and immediately faced a rare loss, which served as a pivotal moment in his competitive boxing career.
“You can’t be distracted with boxing,” he reflects. “That break and that loss made me lock in. My work ethic grew because of it.” Since then, he hasn’t lost a bout and has been one of the most dominant boxers in amateur boxing.
As he prepares for the U19 World Boxing Championships, Mannie reflects on his journey.
“My proudest moment in boxing was making the Youth team last year,” he states. “It gave me something to look forward to. When I got to Colorado for the first time, it hit me, I made it.” His eyes shine with determination as he follows in Shakur Stevenson’s footsteps with a gold medal at the forefront of his mind.
Mannie, an East Orange, N.J., native, will box at 55 kg at the 2024 Wolrd Boxing U19 Championships. He is one of three boxers that returning to the Youth Team roster from last year and looks to use his ferocious mindset to take on the world.
“Boxers from other countries are messaging me on Instagram and making TikToks with my face on it. I am just ready to give it to them,” he declares. “Get out the way because Mannie Chance is coming. Everyone back home, sit back and relax, and just watch me go to work.”
In the ring and in life, Emmanuel “Mannie” Chance is more than a boxer, he’s an inspiration of hope to his family. As he steps into the spotlight, he carries with him the dreams of his family and the memory of those he’s lost, determined to leave his mark on the world.