When Don King held his press conference to announce the big fight card at the Savvis Center, it was clear from the outset that he possessed enough charm to sweep the city off its feet and pack the arena to its capacity. For the next few weeks, faithful and fickle boxing fans fell in love with King and Cory Spinks as the anticipation for the rematch between the hometown champion and Brooklyn’s Zab Judah continued to build.
The month-long fling ended in heartbreak, but not without all of the excitement and electricity that was promised, and in the process St. Louis showed it could hang with any city when it comes to supporting and staging a big fight.
But, that same weekend, far from the spotlight and television cameras, several of St. Louis’ finest amateur
boxers were competing and winning in a completely different setting.
The 2005 National Silver Gloves tournament brought together the best boxers in the country age 15 and under. The group from St. Louis boarded the City Rec bus early on February 2 and headed toward the tournament in Independence, Mo. Coach Jesse Davison from the Cherokee Rec Center was at the wheel for the three-hour drive, which was extended by a wintry mix of sleet and ice.
After a safe arrival, the five coaches and 14 boxers settled into their rooms and prepared to represent our city. By the end of the tournament, St. Louis and the rest of the cities that form Region 5 in the Midwest would tie with Washington D.C. for second place in the nation behind California in Region 8.
I met up with Coach Anthony Larry Floyd the following weekend to hear about the group’s success. Coach Floyd currently trains 25 kids at the West End Community Center, and his representative was Preston Freeman, a feisty 70-pound fighter with just nine bouts under his belt. Preston lost a close decision to Pedro Duran of East L.A., the eventual champion in that age group.
The four national champions from St. Louis included the Singleton brothers from the Gamble Community Center. Twins Jerail and Terail both won two fights each by unanimous decisions to bring home titles in the 75- and 80-pound weight classes.
Jarvis Williams from the Marquette Center won the title in the 178 lb., 14/15-year-old age bracket with a pair of decision victories. Otis Brown from the Cherokee Rec Center had to take the long road to his national title. His 139-pound weight class in the 12/13-year-old bracket was stacked, but he scored two knockouts and two decision victories over his busy weekend.
Another group of boxers from St. Louis traveled to Joplin this past weekend to compete in the regionals of the USA Men’s and Women’s Championships. Seven fighters from our area captured regional titles and will advance to the finals, beginning March 13 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
The group of champions includes:* Barry Dennis, 112 lb. (12th & Park)* Jamar Parram, 125 lb. (12th & Park)* Robbie Cannon, 132 lb. (Bodyshots Gym)* DeAndre Latimore, 152 lb. (12th & Park)* Louis Holloway, 178 lb. (North County/NCAA)* Austin Ejiofor, 200 lb. (South Broadway Athletic Club)* Chantel Ivory, 132 lb. (Midwest Warriors).
They will receive room and board at the training center, but Ozark Boxing Vice President Julie Neisz is looking for donations to help cover travel and per diem expenses.
Ozark Boxing and St. Louis Amateur Boxing is hosting an amateur show on Thursday, Feb. 24 at the Two Hearts Banquet Center on South Lindbergh at Gravois. The fights will start at 7:30 and the card will help raise money for the trip to the national championships. If a fraction of the fight fans energized by the Spinks title defense come out and invest in the next “next generation,” then Don King may have more reasons to visit St. Louis in the future.
The success of our young fighters bodes well for the future of amateur boxing in St. Louis. You can see the brightest area boxing stars this weekend without making a road trip. The Henry Armstrong/Diamond Gloves Tournament will take place at the Cherokee Rec Center on Friday and Saturday at 7 pm. Proceeds from the annual tournament help to pay our boxers’ travel expenses for regional and national tournaments such as the Silver Gloves.
Volunteers are needed at the tournament this weekend. If you would like to support our athletes, please call Debra Craig at 353-1250.