You must have witnessed the remarkable Steve Harvey, now 67 years old, captivating fans on TV with his impeccable comedic timing as he hosted the immensely popular TV show ‘Family Feud.’ However, few are aware that this man with the impeccably styled mustache once spent time in the squared circle. Before he became the king of comedy in Welch, West Virginia, he wasn't telling jokes; he was throwing punches.

Uncover Steve Harvey's Hidden Boxing Past

Steve Harvey's Early Life and the Genesis of His Boxing Career

Steve Harvey was born on January 17th, 1957, in Welch, West Virginia. He was the youngest among his five siblings in a working-class family. His father, Jesse Harvey, worked as a coal miner to provide for the family, while his mother, Eloise Vera, took care of the household.Despite his confident and charming demeanor today, his early life was filled with struggles. As a child, he suffered from severe stuttering, which initially led to ridicule when he declared his dream of being on TV in his sixth-grade classroom. His teacher even dismissed his dream due to his speech impediment. This incident left a lasting mark on him, fueling his determination to prove his doubters wrong.Decades later, his family relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, and lived on East 112th Street, which was later renamed Steve Harvey Way in his honor in 2015. Harvey graduated from Glenville High School in 1974 and then embarked on various life paths. He enrolled at Kent State University but didn't graduate. Before achieving fame, he held jobs such as carpet cleaning, mail delivery, autoworker, and insurance salesman.During this time, he also ventured into boxing, a sport that helped shape his discipline and determination. Although not widely publicized compared to his later comedic and television career, his boxing experience added another dimension to his life. The skills he acquired during his boxing days laid the foundation for his success in the TV industry.

Steve Harvey Reveals the True Reason for Quitting Boxing

The reason Harvey's boxing past has remained relatively unknown is that he doesn't often talk about it. In a rare 2020 taping of ‘Family Feud,’ the Emmy Award-winning entertainer opened up about his boxing days. When asked why he gave up the sport that could have launched his career to stardom, he didn't hold back.He humorously said, "I didn't quit boxing; a Puerto Rican stopped me from boxing. There's a f**king difference." He further elaborated, "Somebody asked me why I quit boxing. I didn't quit boxing; a Puerto Rican guy stopped me from boxing. THAT IS A DIFFERENCE. I didn't stop. He hit me so hard that not only did I not know who I was or where I was. I thought I was a white girl."Although he may not discuss his boxing career much with the public, he does share it with his family. It even inspired his son Jason to take up boxing classes as a teenager. However, an impromptu sparring match at home quickly put Jason in his place. Harvey once joked in a YouTube video, "I've always told my sons, 'I'm the heavyweight champ of this house.'"Despite never going pro, Harvey remains a passionate boxing fan. He attended the Floyd Mayweather–Conor McGregor fight in 2017 and has hosted boxing legends like Evander Holyfield and Sugar Ray Leonard on his shows. His love for the sport is undeniable.What do you think about Steve Harvey's boxing past? It's a part of his life that adds another layer to his already fascinating story.