What started as fun and games blossomed into a potential professional career for Bronx boxer Ismael Villarreal.

Villarreal started young and just playing around in the ring at first. Villarreal's father Otilio however was a professional boxer and fought some of the biggest names in the sport in the 1990s.

Now 12-0, Villarreal is heading into a fight Friday night that could further develop his chance at a championship.

Ismael currently balances boxing with a day job as a physical therapy aid.

Villareal's Friday night fight will be broadcast on Showtime. If he wins, Villarreal says he'll give up his other job and focus solely on boxing.