Team Liquid Documentary Reveals Boxi's Inspiring Journey, His Hunger to Lift TI12 Aegis

A recent YouTube documentary by Team Liquid’s official channel unraveled the journey of professional Dota 2 player Samuel "Boxi" Svahn, giving an insight into his life, the challenges he overcame to make his mark in Dota 2 esports.

Titled “Boxi 's DPC struggles and why he's going to win TI,” it featured his close ones, including friends, family and colleagues.

Spanning 19 minutes, through candid interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, the documentary shed light on the untold narrative of Team Liquid’s support Boxi.

The documentary also answered questions many eager fans had concerning his hiatus in 2021 and his introduction to the world of Dota 2. He initially took a break in 2021 and later failed to make The International (TI10). He was also forced to make an exit mid-way through the Lima Major 2023 in March due to a major gastrointestinal bleeding.

Boxi’s Modest Beginning

The Team Liquid documentary took viewers deep into his childhood. Boxi's introduction to the realm of esports began in his hometown, Uppsala, Sweden. As a child, he showed a keen interest in video games, particularly Dota. He credited his brother and his friends, who introduced him to competitive games such as Counter-Strike and Heroes of Newerth, for fostering his interest in video games.

Boxi displayed a competitive nature and a determination to excel in gaming as a child. Boxi’s brother Fabian Svahn revealed that when Heroes of Newerth was released, Boxi was already better than him. He said, ”When Heroes of Newerth released, he would beat my a**, like he was already then, like, so much better than me.”

As a young gamer, he was not without faults, frequently avoiding school and causing trouble. However, these characteristics would eventually evolve into unwavering concentration and drive.

Early Achievements in Esports and his Dedication

Boxi's talent in gaming became evident at the age of 15 when he competed in the World Cup for Heroes of Newerth in Bangkok and won. This experience marked a turning point for him in his career, as he and his family realized the potential he held in professional gaming. After this point, his family backed him up with constant support and enabled him to pursue his ambition with unrivaled zeal. Before the world cup for Heroes of Newerth, Boxi’s family was skeptical about his choice of career but were met with surprise when his mother and brother attended the world cup.

Fabian said “But we went with him, me and my mom. That's when it sunk in, like, ‘Oh, this is legit.”

Boxi, after transitioning to Dota 2, joined Alliance before eventually joining Team Liquid. However, his initial experiences were distinguished by difficulties, including conflicts with teammates and struggles to acclimate to the professional environment.

William “Blitz” Lee, Team Liquid’s Dota 2 coach remarked, “I say in the beginning, working with Boxi, and I don’t want to mince words, it was very unpleasant. He used to not really respect time...“

Boxi's enthusiasm for the game and his dedication to self-improvement enabled him to surmount these obstacles.

Boxi’s Personal Struggles and Perseverance

Boxi’s mother's battle with cancer weighed heavily on him, but he continued to compete, fueled by his family's support and his mother's unwavering confidence in him. Following her demise, Boxi took a leave of absence from professional gaming and he was moved to Liquid’s inactive roster from 23rd April 2021 till 8th June 2021.

However, returning to competition was not without physical and mental difficulties. Persistent health concerns, such as gastrointestinal issues, presented a new challenge. 

A Glimpse of Greatness and The Road To The International 2023

Despite all the troubles, Boxi’s commitment to Dota 2 esports shone through. He embarked on an outstanding voyage with Team Liquid after his return to the pro scene, securing third place in The International 2022, second place at Lima Major 2023, DreamLeague Season 19, ESL One Berlin Major 2023, Bali Major 2023 and Riyadh Masters 2023, and demonstrating remarkable skill in the DPC. Boxi's unwavering commitment to attaining excellence is exemplified by his team's success and his standout performances in tournaments.

The Dota 2 community eagerly anticipates Boxi's return to full health as he battles health issues. His ultimate objective remains to win The International 2023. He believes that this accomplishment will cement his legacy as one of the world's finest Dota 2 competitors.