Born and raised in south St. Louis, Mo., Todd “Ty” Brown isn’t the classic picture of inner-city grit. More Southern California spirit drips off the 31-year-old heavyweight boxer’s chiseled frame than say, heartland pugilistic power. Think Laird Hamilton armed with a fearsome left. At 6 feet 1 inch tall and 220 pounds, Brown is looking to make some big hits at the highest level of boxing. The southpaw heavyweight has called Pacific Beach his home for six years and, at 31, is ready now — more than ever — to take on the top ranks. “I always knew boxing is what I wanted to do,” Brown said from his training quarters in the heart of Pacific Beach. “Boxing is a commitment above all other things. Knowing the opportunity I have now, it’s a definite commitment I’m ready to make.” A two-time Golden Gloves champion and Ringside Tournament finalist, Brown’s journey to current trainer Eddie Roa at PB Boxing has taken a few twists and turns. A baseball scholarship to Missouri State led to a minor league stint for the Cleveland Indians, followed by a season with the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. Through all of this, the athletic big man couldn’t keep the fight in him any longer. Brown took interest in the boxing-rich culture of St. Louis early on, and trained at the famous 12th and Park Community Center, home to a number of world champions. He gained success at the amateur level, going 15-1. “I started going to the community centers (at 8 years old) in St. Louis,” Brown said. “In the inner city, the gyms are free. My mom didn’t want me boxing so I played a lot of baseball to (cover up). I just told her I was going to work out, and I would go and get as much boxing in as I could.” In January, Brown made his professional debut with a second-round knockout at the Pageant Theatre in his hometown of St. Louis. Brown felt at home in front of a sold-out crowd of family and friends on the local 10-bout professional card. Turning pro at 31 may be unorthodox, but Brown’s health is at its peak — as is his determination to make a name for himself locally in San Diego, as well as on a national level. “We’re going to make it to the top ranks at the heavyweight division,” Brown said. “I’m looking for a world championship. I see us wining a state title soon, and getting in the top 20 (heavyweights) in the next year or two.” Roa, a native of Mexicali and a staple in the San Diego fighting scene, matches Brown’s enthusiasm. “Todd came into the gym and I thought he was a bodybuilder at first,” Roa said. “I didn’t know he was a boxer. He has a lot of power. Right now we’re teaching him lateral movement and building up his right hand.” Now ready to launch locally, Brown looks to fight on a number of different cards in San Diego this summer. The sooner he gets in the ring, the better for the young- at-heart powerful lefty from the “Gateway to the West.” “We have a lot of potential, man,” Brown said. “I’ve saved myself a lot of blows to the head getting in professionally later (in life). The commitment is ultimate right now — morning runs, strength training and boxing sessions six days a week, and five hours a day.”