Alex “Po Atan” Pereira (14-2, 9 KO’s) wants his career to be an example to other young people coming from tough backgrounds.
Today, July 7, is Pereira’s birthday; he turns 27. Celebrations are in order, but he is also spending some time reflecting on how far he has come.
Hailing from Sao Bernardo in the greater Sao Paolo district, Pereira grew up in grinding poverty. Fighting is his way out of that.
“Alex was really poor, and since he began fighting his life is thriving in a way he couldn’t imagine,” says his manager Paolo Larini.
“Between working with his trainer Belocqua and studying the Indigenous Indian teachings, he is coming to be not just a better fighter, but a better man.”
Pereira says that in his teenage years he was wayward. Martial arts gave him a focus and direction which he badly needed. Now he sees younger acquaintances following his example.
“I’m very happy that I can be an example for people who need hope, just like I did in my own life,” he says.
“I can see that some people are changing old and wrong ways because of my example, that is the best prize I could ever imagine. I want them all to know that whatever they can dream they can accomplish, they just need to want it and be ready to work very hard.
“For me, I always say it has been tough inside the ring but even tougher outside it. I don’t want to go into it too much but my life was very, very difficult. I've been through a lot.
“But I had a dream and my dream was my goal. Every day I wake up and I am living it and still seeking to achieve it. And believe me - if I can come this far, everybody can.”
Brazilian fans are noted for being some of the most passionate in the world - look at the crowds attending the FIFA World Cup 2014 currently underway there.
The love they give their athletes is greatly appreciated by the recipients. Pereira is no different.
“The fans give me lots of support. Brazilian fans are very happy and emotional and I love this, that make me feel very close to them,” he says.
“If you look at MMA, it is so big now - almost a national sport - that the fighters are a little removed from the fans, harder to reach. With kickboxing, we are more accessible and have more contact, so this makes the relationship closer I think.”
Later today Pereira will celebrate his birthday and give thanks for making it one through another year. But as he says himself, his primary thanks go to his fans around the world “for all the love, support and affection that I get from them.”
Last month Pereira was in Los Angeles, California for the eight-man Middleweight Championship Tournament at GLORY LAST MAN STANDING. He faced world #1 and eventual tournament winner Artem Levin (50-4-1, 33 KO’s) in the quarter-finals and lost a decision.
The defeat shattered his dream of winning the tournament. But as Pereira explained in a recent interview, he is still young in his career and he will have further chances as his career progresses.
In the meantime, he is processing the lessons from his fight with Levin and waiting for news of his next bout.
“I’m ready to fight now! That fight was tough, mentally not physically. I have no injuries, I am physically 100%. Whenever GLORY wants to put me in to fight, I will be fighting,” he says.
“I want more and more challenges, I'm hungry for it. That’s my life! I’m a fighter, a warrior. I will fight anyone, anywhere.”
