Meet Ozzie Akcakaya, a prominent figure in the world of boxing known for his dedication to innovation and high-quality equipment. While Ozzie has made a name for himself designing top-notch gloves and training tools, he’s now stepping into the ring as a licensed boxer with a dream of securing an amateur championship belt.
In an age where marketing often overshadows craftsmanship, Ozzie harks back to the 1970s, a time when pride in product quality was paramount. He laments the shift in values within today’s marketplace and champions the belief that “Boxing deserves better.” This motto serves as the guiding principle for Ozzie and his company, Hit N Move.
At the core of Hit N Move’s philosophy is authenticity. Ozzie firmly believes that their products should genuinely embody the spirit of the sport and cater to the needs of boxers. To bring his vision to life, Ozzie enlisted the expertise of his wife, Alaina, a marketing and industrial organization specialist with a focus on ergonomics. Together, they created HITNMOVE®, a range of boxing gloves and equipment designed for the utmost safety, comfort, and ergonomics, suitable for both elite athletes and beginners.
One area where Hit N Move has pushed the boundaries of innovation is the redesign of focus mitts, a crucial tool for boxing coaches. Traditional mitt designs forced coaches to adopt uncomfortable positions, risking injury. Ozzie, drawing upon his knowledge of anatomy and physiology and his certifications from organizations like NASM and EREPS, recognized the dangers coaches faced. Collaborating with orthopedic specialists, he developed Turtle Mitts, made from orthopedic EVA foam to absorb punch impacts, safeguarding coaches from wrist and elbow injuries.
Just like any entrepreneur driven by the desire to address a genuine need, Ozzie was eager to transform his idea into reality. Interestingly, the idea itself was rather random. Ozzie explains, “I remember one day during my usual run, I had a chance encounter with a turtle attempting to cross the road. As I stopped to ensure the turtle’s safety, something incredible happened. I couldn’t help but notice how the turtle’s shape bore a striking resemblance to the mitt I had been envisioning all along. In that very moment, I trademarked it as the ‘Turtle’ and gave the green light to initiate our product testing phase. The journey towards perfection spanned approximately 14 months, during which we tirelessly worked on numerous prototypes and refinements.”
Uniqueness is another hallmark of Hit N Move’s approach. Ozzie refuses to follow industry trends of mere branding, instead asking, “Is it different? Is it one-of-a-kind?” This commitment to originality has led to groundbreaking products like Turtle Mitts, inspired by a chance encounter with a turtle during one of Ozzie’s runs. These mitts offer coaches and fighters a more realistic training experience with improved angles.
Beyond this, family values are a cherished core value for Ozzie. Hit N Move collaborates with athletes who exemplify dedication, humility, and respect, rather than those who flaunt wealth and celebrity status. Carefully selected ambassadors, such as Jalil Hackett, Jahmal Harvey, and Jeffrey Yu, ensure that Hit N Move remains deeply connected to the boxing community’s values.
Ozzie’s dedication to innovation is evident in the mitts he introduced, setting new safety and performance standards in boxing. With a history of groundbreaking products, these “smart turtles” promise boxers superior protection and comfort during training.
As Ozzie embarks on his journey as a licensed boxer, he continues to challenge the norms of the boxing industry. With his innovative products and dedication to quality, he’s not only changing the way boxers train but also promising to introduce the most unique and innovative products the market has ever seen!
