A boxer, a law student and police officer, Janathan 'Mufasa' Hanson aims to combine his diverse background to succeed in professional boxing.

Born in Wilton Gardens, more popularly known as ‘Rema’, Hanson experienced frequent relocations during his childhood. At the age of six, he left behind the familiar surroundings of his neighborhood and moved with the other members of his family to the Bronx, New York to start a new life. During this period, Hanson had a fleeting interest in boxing but credits the shaping of his character and determination with these early childhood experiences.

After seven years in the concrete jungle, Hanson relocated once again with his family - this time crossing the Atlantic to settle in South London out of their desire for better opportunities. Now an adolescent, his interest in boxing was once again sparked out of the need to defend himself against bullying. “I previously started lifting weights and I got really big and people in my high school started to take notice and wanted to challenge me, so I found boxing again to learn how to defend myself.”

Hanson further developed his boxing interest into an obsession and found an outlet at the Battersea Amateur Boxing Club. His ability in the ring quickly attracted the attention of the local boxing fraternity who recognized his disciplined and dedicated approach to the sport. He began to make a name for himself while honing his skills in London based competitions. However, the combination of a desire to represent Jamaica at the Olympic Games and another move by his family prompted a final relocation - this time back to Kingston, Jamaica where he continues to live, train and compete. 

Fully committed to his boxing development during this stage of his life, Hanson clinched a series of seven National Amateur Boxing Championships over a nine-year period. Nevertheless, during this period of his life, Hanson's ambitions did not stop there - while winning National Championships and representing Jamaica on the international stage, he then began pursuing a law degree from the University of Technology, Jamaica in 2017. 

It was not an easy task for Hanson to manage his boxing career and to study law simultaneously, but in typical boxing fashion, he decided to defy the odds by accepting yet another challenge and joined the National Police College of Jamaica in June, 2022 with an aim of becoming a police officer. When asked about the decision to join JCF he remarked, “ I decided to dedicate at least five years of my life, serving and protecting my people.”

Hanson’s interests can be classified as uniquely singular, however, he believes that each complements the next and that fruitful connections can be made between his pursuits in the ring, in the classroom, and towards serving and protecting the citizens if Jamaica.

 As he put it, “Boxing has prepared me for success in and out of the ring - a level of uncertainty looms over each of my endeavours, but I’ve been tested and I’ve authentically pursued my passions in creating the best version of myself that offers value to Jamaica.”

Everything came full circle in a stellar 2023 for Hanson, the Jack of All Trades, achieved major milestones in all his pursuits. As of June, he became an official member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force after graduating from the National Police College of Jamaica. He then made the seamless transition into the professional boxing ranks by successfully winning his debut fight on October 7, against 16-fight veteran Kevin ‘Bus Boy’ Hylton at the Ebony Vale Community Centre in Spanish Town. Last but not least - in November, he officially completed his studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica, graduating with a law degree.

When asked about his plans for the future, Hanson shared his aspirations to reach new heights in the boxing world. “My eclectic background and diverse experiences have equipped me with a unique perspective, giving me an edge in most situations.”

He further added that although he has officially fought as a professional boxer, he has never given up on his Olympic dreams and plans to represent Jamaica at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

In a society that often emphasizes specializing in one particular field, Hanson challenges this notion - the boxer has armed himself with a law degree, and accepts the challenges of serving and protecting the average Jamaican citizen. A testament to the mindset that he developed over the years as a boxer - his story serves as an inspiration for those who believe that success is not limited to one domain but can be achieved in various fields with the right mentality.