Thirty-two-year-old Wang Qiang has become a role model for many children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, as the slow, sick child grew up to become a professional boxer with an average punching speed of six punches per second.

Wang, a premature child born into an ordinary family in Tianjin, was immediately diagnosed with cerebral palsy. As a school kid, it took him two years just to learn basic math within 100.

Wang began to learn boxing at the age of 12. The cruel and violent sport was a symbol of courage and perseverance in his eyes. It took him six months to learn how to throw a straight punch and a hook. He spent six years studying how to jump rope. But it wasn’t until 2014 that he actually got the opportunity to stand in the ring and fight his first-ever boxing match, Workers’ Daily reported.

In 2009, Wang even challenged flyweight boxing champion Zou Shiming on his blog, hoping to “prove myself in the ring.” He later explained that his challenge was nothing personal, that he just wanted to encourage more cerebral palsy patients. At the time, Zou did not respond to his challenge, but he did meet with Wang before a boxing match when Zou praised and encouraged Wang for his courage and perseverance.

Since then, Wang has won two champions in a series of boxing matches. He also opened his own boxing school in 2013. Wang’s story soon attracted many students who admired him for his performance in the ring and in life. Today, Wang has taught hundreds of students, according to the newspaper.