From Ben Villaflor to Jesus Saldud to Brian Viloria, there’s a proud world championship boxing history in the Aloha State.

The next boxer in line to championship gold could be from the current MMA pipeline of Waianae.

As a 17-year-old flyweight, Asa Stevens is ranked as the top amateur in the nation at 114 pounds by USA Boxing.

The Waianae High School junior will once again try to suit up for the United States while working out at the Olympic Training Center for the next two weeks. After training, Stevens will compete in the 2018 AMBC Youth Continental Championships May 19-26.

“It’s a very great opportunity, because a lot of young fighters don’t get that chance that I get to represent USA internationally,” Stevens said. “I’m just going to do my best and train as hard as I can and come out with all of the wins.” 

From there, the trajectory is to qualify for the pinnacle of amateur boxing by running at a berth in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Lofty goals are something Stevens gets from family. 

A supreme self-confidence bears similarities to UFC featherweight champion Max “Blessed” Holloway, Stevens’ cousin.

“When I’m working with him, he helps me a lot. He pushes me a lot when we’re sparring and he just teaches me to be confident,” Stevens said. “He teaches me a lot about confidence when I’m fighting.

“I think at the end of the day, it’s all about mentality,” Stevens continued. “What you want to do mentally and just pushing yourself when you’re tired. It’s all in your mind. That’s what I think. So it’s a big key for when I’m fighting and training.”

If Stevens finishes in the top five of the Continental Championships, he will move on to the World Championships in August.