Reformed street icon, Freeway Rick Ross, is excited to enter the world of boxing as an adviser. Ross has signed five prize fighters to his company Team Freeway Boxing.

Undefeated prospects Nafear Charles, VeShawn Champion, Erick Kedar Gianous, and Alvin Varmall Jr., who has one loss, along with former contender Anthony Peterson, is the team Freeway Rick has started to develop. After getting a second chance at life, the former drug trafficker, now author of two books, believes he has the right mindset to help young fighters reach their greatest potential in the ring.

"Why get involved in boxing one might ask, I love the sport, and the respect and admiration I have for fighters is the reason why I like the boxing so much, and why I want to work with fighters,” said Freeway Rick, who today is a national motivational speaker. “It takes so much to be a fighter, and even more to be great. I believe my life experience and the wisdom I’ve gained will help these young men become great.”

“When Freeway and I sat down in late October for three days of meetings, I realized all the things we shared in common, in life, and in business, and that is a very good foundation for a solid business relationship,” stated, Rick Glaser, who will be advising Freeway with his business decisions. “After those three days of meetings, we decided to work together in a collaboration to further Freeway's boxing interests. Freeway will not only be an advisor to the fighters, but he will also mentor them in the lessons of life, as he’s an excellent communicator who is a nationally respected motivational speaker. I've been in this business for 31-years and I know Freeway will be successful in his boxing efforts, because of his general business acclaim, his love of boxing, and the respect and admiration he has for fighters, as Freeway really understands the risks that fighters take, and the rewards and awards they seek."

In addition to working with blue chip prospects, Freeway has plans to help fighters looking for a second chance in their careers, fighters who might have had a bad situation derail their progress.

"My life mission now is to be the best person I can be every day by giving back to society, for the second chance society gave me,” continued Freeway Rick, who was released from prison in 2009. "Like everyone in boxing, working with world champs, top contenders, and blue-chip prospects is everyone's game plan, and that's great, as that is my goal too, but I also want to help the fighter that may have lost a fight and his promoter or manager kicked him to the curb. I know that if a good fighter that is a quality person gets kicked to the curb after a loss, I should be their first phone call.”

 Nafear “No Fear” Charles (8-0-1, 7 KOs), is a 21-year-old right-handed lightweight that stands 5’9” and fights out of Philadelphia, PA.

Freeway Rick Ross is a man who has turned is life around and I couldn’t be happier to have him guiding my career,” stated Nafear Charles. “We connected right away and I’m comfortable with the way everything is going. He’s got a lot of knowledge and I look up to him as a mentor.”

VeShawn Champion (2-0, 1 KOs) is a 6’1” welterweight who fights out of the southpaw stance and hails from Dayton, OH. The 23-year-old has great boxing skills to go along with his high ring IQ.

“Everyone knows the name Freeway Rick Ross and I know he’s going to be great in boxing when it’s all said and done,” VeShawn Champion said. “The future is bright for me, and Freeway is a big part of that bright future.”

Erick Kedar Gianous (3-0, 1 KOs), age 22, resides in Denver, CO, fights orthodox and stands 6’1” while campaigning in the middleweight division.

“I have a lot of respect for Freeway Rick,” said Gianous. “He’s shown he’s an elite businessman with a lot of knowledge. I’m happy that he’s going to be guiding my career with a solid team behind him.

Alvin Varmall Jr. (16-1-1, 13 KOs), the right-handed slugger stands 5’8” and fights in the light heavyweight division. At 29-years old, Varmall Jr. fights out of New Orleans, LA. 

“I’m a prime example of a fighter that was looking for a second chance, and Freeway Rick has given me that chance,” said Alvin Varmall Jr. “I know with a few more fights I’ll be right back in the mix.”

Anthony Peterson (38-1-1, 24 KOs), a former super lightweight contender who is coming off an impressive win in August of 2021, is looking to rejuvenate his career. His only loss was to Brandon Rios in 2010, a fight in which Peterson loss by DQ.

“I'm hungry to show the world that I’m worthy of a big fight,” said Peterson. “I’m very grateful to Freeway Rick for helping me get back in the game. He’s given me great words of encouragement and I’m going to show him I still got a lot of fight left in me.”

[Editor's note: Anthony Peterson is not under contract with Team Freeway Boxing, as he already has an existing managerial contract with Sarah Fina.]

“Society gave me a second chance and I thank society for that every day by doing little things that no one hears about,” concluded Freeway. “I don't seek publicity for those things, I just want good results for people I help with those efforts, and that’s what I plan to do with the fighters I sign."