FIU alumnus trains with six-year Navy veteran

Peter Holland, Jr. // Asst. Sports Director

In the two years they trained together at their local gym in North Miami, it wasn’t until recently when Julian Martinez, former amateur boxer in FIU’s boxing club, realized his training partner was a veteran.

Martinez met Courtney “CJ” Jackson, a six-year Navy veteran, in a gym frequented by trainees from local universities.

“The relationship between me and CJ has always been a mutual respect” said Martinez. “I’m usually the first on our team to promote his fights within our inner team and gather ticket money for him. Honestly, I didn’t know CJ was a vet until recently. I actually found out when he was getting announced at one of his fights.”

Jackson served in the Navy from 2006 through 2012. He traveled to Illinois, California, and served 10 months in Afghanistan. Looking back at his time service in the military, Jackson highly values Veterans Day.

“I met people that I will be friends with my whole life,” said Jackson. “It means a lot. I’ve seen brothers falling for these freedoms that I exercise daily.”

For Martinez, honoring those who have served our country with a holiday is the least we can do.

“Veterans Day means a day of honor and love. To give thanks to those people who’ve contributed a service to our great service, to our great country and even risk their lives when most people would duck and cower in that position,” said Martinez. “I think they should do a lot more to celebrate like maybe a significant parade in all major cities or something. But if you look at it, all holidays just have one day, so I guess it’s fair.”

After he got out of the Navy, Jackson at one point was studying theater in Los Angeles, California, before being introduced to boxing at a local gym in Hollywood.

“I stayed with it and decided to go pro one random day,” said Jackson. “It helps me stay calm and relax, evolve with my patients to another level, stay in shape of course and help others that love the sport by sharing knowledge.”

Because the University and UM are in the same boxing program, Jackson wants to train with the students and give advice to them as well.

“I see CJ’s hustle when he trains and it’s inspiring,” said Martinez. “Proves to me that if he can do it, I can do it because we come from the same program.”

Jackson is currently studying biology at the University of Miami. Following his graduation in 2017, Jackson plans on going to medical school and becoming a surgeon.

Jackson does not have specific plans in celebrating Veteran’s Day, but does have words of encouragement to all the veterans, including the ones who are students.