Throughout his decades-long career as a hip hop artist, Ismeal “Ishues” Cuthbertson has carried Athens with him from local clubs all the way to the world stage and back again. Now, the Athens Music Walk of Fame honoree is giving back to the community by sharing his skills and life experience in the art of self-defense.
Those who have witnessed Ishues’ fierce MC game firsthand can attest that he’s a formidable opponent.
Established at Rabbit Hole Studios late last year, Ishues’ Art of Boxing Training Center will hold its official grand opening at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 15. For $30, the dinner-and-a-show ticket includes food by Walker’s Barbecue, a stand-up comedy set by Buddah and live performances by Ishues and Molly Tu Hott. The fundraiser will take place at Rabbit Hole, which is located at 1001 Winterville Rd.
Battle in the blood
Ishues traces his boxing origin story back to age 7 in Pleasantville, New Jersey, where his father and uncles all had a reputation for being good fighters. After starting off by sparring with his cousins, Ishues went from taking Karate to Taekwondo, Aikido and Tai Chi.
When Ishues moved to Athens, he established himself as a musician while training with coach Willie Walker, and he was spotted by Keppner Boxing founder Doc Keppner.
“Willie and I went over to Keppner’s gym, and Doc asked me if I could box,” Ishues said. “I said no, because my dad instilled in me not to tell people what I knew, but Doc put me in the ring and saw that I could box.”
By then, Ishues was in his 20s with the future looking bright in music and boxing. Faced with having to choose between training for the Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournaments with an eye on competing at the Olympic level and signing a deal with Attica Sound record label, Ishues pursued a professional music career.
With fighting in his DNA, Ishues won countless rap battles in Athens and went on to tour the world.
A King in the community
As life slowly returned to normalcy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Ishues was invited to build a boxing program at X3 Sports, where he worked as a professional trainer for five years building up a steady clientele. In June 2024, videographer John Brasher introduced Ishues to Rabbit Hole Studios founder Nick Bradfield, who showed him an empty classroom at the studio that inspired Ishues to start his own training center.
“I brought in some of my own equipment to get started, but once I put word out in the community about what I was doing, they responded,” Ishues said. “Little by little, people helped me cross things off of my list, and now Nick and I are talking about putting in a boxing ring.”
Does this mean that Ishues has left music behind? Not in the slightest. Ishues recently completed an album with fellow Athens Music Walk of Fame honoree Duddy Ken and has been rehearsing with a live backing band at Rabbit Hole. With a team that includes his father helping to run the gym, Ishues plans to release two albums in 2025 and host regular concerts there.
“I don’t like to go halfway on anything I do,” said Ishues. “I’m rhyming even when I’m hitting the punching bag.”
For detailed information about Art of Boxing or to book a training session, visit coachishboxing.com.
