I remember the night it started. After securing the Creed III deal for our gloves and apparel, a conversation with Kev from Reebok's Combat Division sparked a crucial question: "Why aren't you getting boots in there?" Though hesitant initially, I realized he was right – this opportunity was too big to pass up.

That same night, my design intern Sena and I worked until 5 AM to create our first boxing boot design. We had three months to deliver two colorways, with a supplier in China ready to fast-track production.

Our first design element was the Strike logo – clean, angled, and aggressive, built on the golden ratio. The boot needed to be extremely lightweight while maintaining structure and ground connection.

While we met the Creed deadline and Michael B. Jordan loved the boots, real-world testing exposed critical flaws. The side strap caught during sparring, and the flyknit material became heavy with sweat. After 30 iterations and two supplier terminations, we kept pushing forward.

The breakthrough came in 2024 when I discovered skateboard sole technology. This led to developing the DRV-TEC-Sole, featuring an internal grid system specifically for boxing, with concentrated density under the forefoot for power transfer and control.

Named "Impello" (Latin for "to drive forward"), the boot embodies our journey through setbacks and innovations. The design prioritizes responsiveness and natural movement, feeling invisible until the moment of impact.

The real validation came when three-weight world champion Junto Nakatani chose to use them in training. This confirmed we'd created something truly valuable for professional fighters.

The Impello represents just the beginning of our footwear journey. Launching May 15, 2025, it's built on the principle that hard work works – the same principle that drives the world's greatest boxers.

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