A teacher and a fighter
For Edward McCray, the June 2 pro card will be a break from good works
By Glenn McBrady
For the St. Louis American
For many fighters, the trickiest part of being a professional boxer is juggling a demanding training schedule while holding down a job to pay the bills and support a family. In rare cases, a pro with so-called “can’t miss” potential can hook up with an investor to bankroll a lifestyle that frees the athlete from a 9-to-5 job and allows him to focus solely on training in return for a percentage of future earnings.
Even more rare is a fighter such as former Olympic standout Ricardo Williams, who was awarded a million-dollar signing bonus with a promoter, only to have the flames of motivation snuffed out once the big check cleared and financial stability was assured. Marvin Hagler summed up the relationship between financial success and the continued desire to grind through a training camp when he said, “It’s hard to get up at 5 a.m. when you’re sleeping in silk pajamas.”
But for local pro Edward McCray, boxing is just a part of who he is and what he does, and success isn’t defined by hitting the lottery in the fight game. He began boxing twenty years ago at age six. After a standout amateur career that included multiple local Silver and Golden Gloves titles and regular trips to the semi-finals of the National Golden Gloves Tournament, he has built a professional campaign of 5-1 with 3 knockouts.
When the junior welterweight steps into the ring at The Family Arena next Thursday evening as part of the Rumble By The River card, he’ll be looking to improve on that record and take another step towards national recognition and success.
But Edward’s life is also defined by what he does outside the ropes. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in May 2003 with degrees in Criminal Justice and Child Psychology and was a cornerback with a football scholarship. He is currently a schoolteacher at St. Louis Alternative North High School, where he teaches a variety of subjects to troubled kids. He also volunteers as a coach for the City Rec football and basketball programs.
With regards to his boxing career, he told me his goals are to follow trainer Kevin Cunningham’s schedule and work toward bigger paydays to provide for his family. But, outside of the sport, his dream is to build a community center to give kids a safe place to learn and grow.
On the day I visited him at the gym, his stable mates were on a brief road trip, and he had the entire place to himself. As I said good-bye and made my way out the door, Edward was dutifully beginning a lonely training session to supplement a life that grows richer every day.
Tickets for the June 2 “Rumble By The River” featuring Edward McCray are still available and are priced at $25 for general admission, $40 for lower level, and $60 for ringside seats. Call The Family Arena box office at (636) 896-4242 or Metrotix at (314) 534-1111.
Pro dust-up in St. Charles tonight
When I spoke to professional ring announcer Peter Vaccaro on Sunday afternoon, he was resting his golden vocal chords and reviewing his notes for a pair of events that he’ll be calling in the next two weeks.
In addition to introducing the principal characters at the “Rumble By the River” at The Family Arena next Thursday night, he’ll be on the microphone tonight at the Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center as Sam “The Punching Policeman” Hill makes his return to the ring on an exciting pro fight card.
Tough and talented light heavyweight Mike Wood will also be in action, and he’ll be looking to avenge a razor-thin loss by decision in the rematch by taking the verdict out of the judges’ hands with a stoppage.
Cornell Jackson and Steve Vincent will also look to continue their winning ways as they march through punches and opponents towards title shots. Sluggers Joe Stofle and Shawn Hammack will try to extend their trends of putting opponents to sleep in dramatic fashion. The shows never fail to thrill the large and loyal crowds that continue to pack the house.
The Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center is located at Hwy 70 & Fifth St. For tickets, call Jim Howell at (636) 561-2380.
Ring the bell for Neil
I first saw lightweight boxer Neil Wright in the fall of 2001 in a bout at the Heart of St. Charles Banquet Center. As he made his way to his corner, a large group of family and friends jumped from their seats to welcome their favorite fighter.
He bounced on his toes, starting with the pace of an easy glide that quickly turned swift and deliberate. Once inside the ring, he acknowledged the crowd and exuded supreme confidence.
He ended the bout in the second frame with a jab followed by a searing straight right, dropping his over-matched opponent in the space of a heartbeat. He raised his arms in triumph and soaked up the adulation of the crowd.
When I ran into him a couple of weeks later at a boxing banquet, I thought I recognized him and I asked him his name. He paused with a cautious look, and it wasn’t until I told him I was a fan that he dropped his guard and enthusiastically talked about the set up and punch that had led to his latest victory.
Neil’s last bout in St. Charles was a first round knockout win in March of 2004. When I saw him training at the 12th & Park Rec Center this past winter, he explained that he was looking for more lucrative fights out of town. When I went to The Family Arena this past April to cover the press conference to announce next Thursday’s “Rumble By The River” boxing card, I was thrilled to see that Neil would be included.
During the press conference, Neil sat at a table on the very end of the dais. As the Q&A was winding down, there was a pause and the woman conducting the event moved in to wrap things up. I bolted from my chair and complimented Neil on his exciting performances at the banquet center, and I asked him how it felt to be switching from that club atmosphere to a big-time arena setting.
He smiled broadly and made his way to the podium with the same haste he used on his way to the ring. He talked of how fortunate and excited he was, and his genuine and positive words ended the session on a high note.
We chatted afterwards, and he was animated as he talked in great detail about every one of the 5 knockouts that were part of his perfect 7-0 record. He then promised me that he would provide similar thrills at the “Rumble” on June 2.
Early last week, Neil Wright passed away at the age of twenty-three, leaving behind a life and career filled with potential. It’s always a shock when a young life ends abruptly, but especially a life that seemed to be brimming with strength and confidence. He will be missed.