Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, recently entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over 10 years ago.
As a broke 20-something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss.
"It just kind of turned into like close to 10 years where I was just like 'Well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train.' I've kind of ruined things for myself."
He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets.
"I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it."
At 39 years old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center.
Akau Anyieth poses for a portrait, February 29, 2024 in his freshman science class at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth gives a lecture, February 29, 2024 in his freshman science class at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth helps Camryn Forrest with an assignment, February 29, 2024 in his freshman science class at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth waits for his students in front of his class, February 29, 2024 at Rogers Heritage High School in Rogers. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth stands on a weight scale, February 29, 2024 during an official weigh-in at Straightright Boxing and Fitness in Springdale. The weigh-in was the night before his first professional fight. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Fight Doctor Dr. Lance Manning examines Akau Anyieth, February 29, 2024 before the start of his boxing match at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth has his hands wrapped February 29, 2024 before the start of his boxing match at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth (far right) waits for his fight with Sam Murray (far left) February 29, 2024 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth (right) fights Sam Murray (left), February 29, 2024 during a boxing match at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth raises his arm after knocking out his opponent, February 29, 2024 during a boxing match at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Sweat reflected off of the back of Akau Anyieth after winning his boxing match, February 29, 2024 at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth fist bumps a fan, February 29, 2024 after winning his boxing match at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)
Akau Anyieth puts an apron on his daughter Adja Anyieth, February 29, 2024 as they get ready to bake cookies at their home in Rogers. Sweets are one of the things he sacrificed to prepare for his professional boxing match. Akau Anyieth, a Heritage High School science teacher, entered the professional boxing ring with the hope of redeeming a mistake he made over ten years ago. As a broke twenty something, he accepted $400 to get in the ring with a professional fighter above his level, resulting in his first professional loss. "It just kind of turned into like close to ten years where I was just like 'well, I'll just train. I won't fight. I'll just train. I've kind of ruined things for myself." He pursued a career as a science teacher after graduating from Southern Arkansas University, and has taught at Rogers Heritage for the last six years. While teaching has been rewarding, he said, he didn't want to have any regrets. "I want to see how far I can take it. I don't want to regret not doing it." At 39-years-old, Anyieth earned his first professional boxing win during a Arkansas Boxing Foundation tournament at the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center. Visit nwaonline.com/photos for today's photo gallery. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo)