By: Rollon Thompson
The 20th century saw the arrival of the greatest legends of the ring. They refined boxing to one of the most compelling sports in the world.
In 1872, John Douglas, also known as the Marquess of Queensberry, launched the modern era in boxing. Rules were established such as the wearing of gloves to cut down on brutal injuries, the three-minute round with the one-minute rest period between rounds.
The rules also stated that should a boxer be down on one knee he must not be struck and must be given ten seconds to get back to his feet. There was no governing body and at times bouts became haphazard and as unrefined as a street fight. Often there was biting, kicking, holding and wrestling. Usually the ring was provided by fans who held hands to form a wall
Today we teach and train our youth to abstain from drinking, smoking, drugs and nightlife. We encourage and instill character, proper training regiments, sparring sessions and adequate hours of sleep.
Boxers are the captains of their destiny and train themselves to box in a certain style. Some use rough-and-tumble styles others are more polished and learn to avoid punches by bending their back, to box from a crouch, how to maintain a zone, keeping the proper distance between himself and his opponent.
Our trained coaches teach their boxers how it should be done. Good boxers learn the mechanics of boxing. They repeat their routines day after day. The good coaches watch their boxers in slow motion, dissecting their abilities punch by punch until their plan is instilled into the minds of their boxers.
A good coach must remain calm, gentle and allow no theatrics in the corner. Their emotions should come from their inner confidence they have in the understanding and intelligence of their boxer. Wherever and whenever necessary they should improve their style with new moves here or a new dip there. They should always enhance and never dismantle their boxer.
FOR BOUT RESULTS PLEASE FAX INFORMATION TO THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AT 928-342-3405 OR 928-343-1225
AUG. EVENTS - USA
Saturday, August 17, 2002
Ringside Challenge 11
Yuma County Youth Boxing Association, Inc.
All ages divisions, weights welcome
PRE MATCHED BOUTS
Weigh in:10:00am-NOON
Doctor Check: NOON
Bouts: 6:00pm
2150 W. Colorado St.
Yuma, AZ 85364
Contact: Fred B. Block
(928) 343-1470
(928) 342-0792
(928) 343-1225-fax
(928) 342-0792(fax)
Email: Yuma County Youth Boxing
Cell: (928) 919-0346
Saturday, August 17, 2002
Madison Boxing Gym
1755 W. Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ
All Division Welcome
Weigh ins-10:00-12:00pm
Doctor Check:6:00pm
Bouts: 7:00pm
Contact: Richard Rodriguez
(602) 393-4878
Cell: (602) 435-9848
Ricky Ricardo's Mexican Subs
(602) 252-5003
AUGUST 21-24, 2002
NATIONAL 2002 FEMALE GOLDEN GLOVES BOXING TOURNAMENT IN CHICAGO, IL
Call: (773) 921-4000
Email: Chicago Golden Gloves or
Email: Female Golden Gloves
August 28-Sept 1, 2002
Blue & Gold Tournament
Baldwin Park, CA
Call Mike Salas
Tel: (626) 813-5245
Deadline to register is
August 23, 2002
San Luis AZ
1st Show at San Luis PAL
Contact: Ernesto Prieto
Tel:928-627-5108
Fax:928-627-8575
LOOKING BACK ON BOXING - Al Fenn
I guess I have gone through and seen everything in my more than 70 plus years around Arizona Boxing. My father Alvah Fenn bought me my first boxing gloves when I was nine years of age when living in Mesa. I won some titles, one was the sweetest-during World War II, the U.S. Marines as a middleweight.
After returning from my last campaign, Iwo Jima, I BOXED PRO AND WENT INTO COACHING KIDS. FIRST in Safford, AZ and later in Clifton, AZ where we won countless championships and honors over all of Arizona, then Miami, Phoenix, Arizona where since 1960, I have had a gym free to anyone-and the hundreds-maybe thousands who have come and gone-Golden Gloves Gym and The Phoenix Boys and Girls Center. In 1970, I took over the Arizona Golden Gloves tournament and served many years as US Boxing President, and started the Copper Gloves at the Arizona State Fair. While US Boxing President, I got the Olympic Trials here and left office deciding not to run again. I left with $6,000 to $10,000 in the Arizona LBC bank and my predecessors proceeded to squander it up.
I can't mention them all but it goes back when I was over Arizona AAU Boxing-Gorge (Dutch) Hoy, Paavo Ketonen, Staff of Arizona Republic and Gazette who sponsored Golden Gloves, Len Johnston, Harry Ginn, Tom Murphy, Gene Lewis who has been working with youth almost as long as I; Mack Walker, the Rodriguez brothers who all won championships for me, Jake Magallanes, Gino Segura, Dr. Bill Hatch who I got into boxing, Harvey Prezant, Walt Hoskins, Cal Bahe, Roger Lau, Willy Borchert, Jesse Yanez, Jack Karie and Larry Gutos, Roy Luck, Harry Laffoon, Bill Merodias, Ed Tameron, Fernando Sepulveda, Robert Anderson, Benny Hinds, Tom Dunleavy, Bob Robles, Joe Agradano, and even my daughter Kelly Fenn. Well, the list could go on and on and I've missed very important people in the early days of Arizona amateur boxing. We are working on a Hall of Fame and those who did accomplish much will be noted and honored.
I mentioned that I had gone through and seen everything. Here's one that today you would'nt think possible. ME, SUSPENDED AND LIKELY TO BE SUED???
The story is here and famed sportswriter Lester Bromberg of New York City came in on it as many others all over the world.
