When I first stepped into the No Limit Boxing studio, I was greeted by bare brick walls – raw, unpolished, full of potential. The vision? Turn this rugged canvas into a powerful and inspiring space through realistic mixed media art. I’m Raffaello Djordjevic, founder of ArtbyRaff, and this is the story of how art and boxing collided.

No Limit Boxing isn’t just a gym – it’s a home base for one of Austria’s best-known professional boxers, a place where athletes push limits and shape character. My goal was to reflect that energy visually: the discipline, the fire, the fight. Not through abstract strokes, but through realistic expressions of boxing greatness.

I used a realistic mixed media technique, blending spray paint, acrylics, markers, textured layers, and airbrush details – all directly onto the exposed brick walls. Every surface became a tribute to boxing legends, captured in lifelike poses and intense expressions. The roughness of the bricks added texture and rawness, enhancing the realism and depth of each portrait.

But that wasn’t all – I added UV-reactive pigments, allowing parts of the artwork to glow in the dark. Under blacklight, the portraits and dynamic elements come alive, transforming the space at night into a surreal, almost cinematic experience. It’s a nod to the inner fire that continues to burn – even when the lights are out.

The reaction from the client and the boxing community was incredible. What was once a cold, industrial room is now a place full of life, spirit, and visual motivation. The before-and-after photos clearly show the difference – from bare brick to bold emotion.

This was more than a painting job – it was a collaboration between two worlds: boxing and art. Both are about rhythm, dedication, and raw truth. I took my time to understand the space, the people, the energy – and turned that into something lasting.

The portraits are not only decorative – they tell stories. Stories of champions, pain, focus, and glory. This is realistic mixed media with purpose, tailored to the soul of the room and the people who move within it.

As an artist, projects like this remind me why I do what I do. It’s not just about paint – it’s about transformation. And when I see the UV lights flicker on and the fighters train beneath glowing champions, I know we created something powerful.

To see the full transformation, check out the before-and-after images and follow more of my projects on Instagram @ArtbyRaff.
Want to turn your space into a living story? Let’s make it happen.