Back and Better than Ever: Anthony "The Recipe" Returns to the Cage
By M. Todd Manuel
Ink Spot Contributing Writer
As one of the city's most decorated professional fighters, Anthony "The Recipe" Lapsley returns to the ring for a chance at The Art of Scrap's title at 185lbs. With an impressive 26-7-2 professional fight record, "The Recipe" is now a 42-year-old man with more wisdom and a more significant commitment to his team than ever before. That is, his recipe for winning has changed. I had an opportunity to sit down with Anthony to learn about his professional career and personal motivations for coming out of retirement after having trained others in his most recent years.
When Anthony Lapsley began fighting, he did so out of necessity to provide for his family. Many of us can relate to doing whatever is necessary to provide for one's family. However, for Lapsley, it turned out to be a very natural talent that developed into an impressive career. Although it was fate that he was so successful at cage fighting, it wasn't too far-fetched because, during high school, he was state champion in wrestling. Anthony took up amateur fighting from the idea to provide and make extra money. When he began fighting, he worked multiple jobs to make ends meet. He thought it would be something to earn extra money; he was surprised to learn that it could be a career for him.
For Anthony, fighting has been a gift that has not been far from his challenges. He has harnessed his challenges by helping him develop talents in others. "There were times when the only time that I had self-worth was while fighting," Anthony explained. Other athletes were not the only things that Lapsley has fought over the years; after a few bouts of depression and anxiety, he now understands the importance of finding your life's purpose. He has used his life's goal to make himself and others better.
Anthony's ability to give and use his talents to train kids while fighting along the way is what his life's passion has become; it's the real reason he will be fighting on October 15th, 2022. Over the past three years, Anthony has been mentoring youth in the Fort Wayne and Indianapolis area. As a result, he has developed several fighters; some have even established professional fighting careers. "It's been rewarding to learn, teach, and mentor others who have their love for the sport," said Lapsley during our conversation.
Anthony has earned multiple titles and fought on some of the world's biggest stages, yet still identifies his most rewarding activities as raising his eleven children. Anthony feels it has been most rewarding to watch them grow and learn more about them and himself. He also told me where his best joys have come from: "source of my joys has not been the titles or fights I have won but rather the nine years I have spent mentoring, training, and teaching others. Teaching the sport, I enjoy the results of hard work, self-development, and leadership," said Lapsley.
Undeniably, however, Anthony has a pretty impressive MMA record of 26-7 & 2 No-Contests, with five nationally-recognized professional titles and one world title. Among these fight, titles are the Kombat Zone & FCFS title - 185lb, Midwest Cage Combat title - 170lb, King of The Cage - 170lb (World Champion), and Fury Fight Promotions title - 185lb. In addition, several of these fights have been broadcasted nationally, gaining a national fanbase.
The inspiration of fighting hits the core of who we are as human beings. As a natural and expected response to a threatening environment, fighting is something we all can recognize and understand—fight or flight. To some extent, every part of our lives is in some way, shape, or form a representation of that human tendency to maintain safety and stability. And in our community, the need to do just that is at an all-time high.
"Professional fighting and coaching are integral to my life's mission; it is the gift God gave me. Through fighting, my goal has been to promote peace and prosperity among my family, team, and community," Anthony wrote in a letter to his sponsors that he shared with me.
Anthony's non-profit training and mentoring program--Prime Boxing--has over twenty-five active participants, mostly school-aged boys and young adults, who not only receive free or subsidized training but also tutoring. "These programs are 100% free for school-aged children, and allow those who may not have the resources to earn their success through developing self-discipline, a strong work ethic that gives them results that they can see". Anthony's impact was evident in the number of fighters who seemed to be closely connected to him like family, an extension of the eleven that are his own. He told me that many of his adult fighters had become his friends simply by developing the foundation of trust needed in a successful training relationship. Cookouts, sparing matches surrounded by positivity, encouragement, and good sportsmanship have helped him create a team that keeps its members make and stay healthy, safe, and powerful.
"I want to leave this place better off than when I came here," explained The Recipe. Not only was our conversation inspiring, but it left me wanting to know more and more about Anthony's impact on our community's kids, the adults, and the other athletes he works with. Stay tuned to learn more about Anthony's journey and upcoming fight on October 15th, 2022 .