APRIL 2009 • ISSUE IV

FEATURES • David Carey and Christina Cruz...... 2

• Junior Worlds in Armenia - Team USA Prepares...... 3

• Staff Spotlight of April - Edith Smith...... 4

• USA Boxing and the USA Boxing Begins Public School Initiative State Athletic Commission...... 4 With the assistance from the junior and open division competition. Olympic Committee’s Urban Develop- • Ticketing Info for the 2009 USA ment Grant, four USA Boxing LBCs have The Middle Atlantic LBC is attempting to launched school programs in their area launch a school program in two areas within Boxing National Championships school districts. their LBC. A program is currently under- in Denver...... 5 way in Harrisburg, Pa., with 38 youngsters The Missouri Valley LBC and LBC Presi- enrolling in the first week. The Harrisburg dent John Brown have reached out to local program began on April 8 and is scheduled • The 2009 National Golden high schools and received permission from to run through June 10. On behalf of the Gloves Tournament in Salt Lake two school boards to take over the Physical Middle Atlantic LBC, Curtis Thompson has City, UT...... 5 Education classes in all of the high schools also pitched the school program initiative and several junior high schools, using a to 11 schools, a recreation center and the portion of the Membership Growth & De- Mayor’s Office in Reading, Pa. • LBC Membership Updates.....6 velopment Initiative. The LBC has utilized this time to teach the sport of boxing in The fourth LBC to launch a school box- three high schools and hopes to extend the ing program is Florida Gold Coast under • Ringside Physician’s program to six-eight more high schools and President Armando Fiallo. Two schools in Symposium...... 6 several additional junior high schools. south Florida are taking part in school box- ing programs. Dwyer High School in Palm The LBC and President Michael Beach Gardens, Fla., hosts its program • USA Boxing Alumni News...... 7 Sanchez have launched the program in off-campus with 25 students participat- 14 first-time schools in Mesa, Ariz., and ing. North Miami Middle School is holding • United Airlines Updates...... 7 they have enjoyed an influx of youngsters boxing classes off-campus with 11 students excited about their new after-school activity. taking part in the program. All of the youngsters are transported to • AIBA Update...... 7 McKellips Middle School in Mesa, where USA Boxing hopes to continue to grow they were provided a vacant room to set up the school program to new markets and a boxing ring and utilize facilities at a Ra- schools throughout the nation to increase mada next door for bag-work and additional membership and introduce the sport to activities. Over 40 youngsters, ranging in young people who wouldn’t otherwise take age from eight to 18 are participating in part. the program, which Sanchez hopes will continue beyond next year. The new facility For sample presentation materials to ap- at McKellips Middle School even hosted a proach a school or school board, please recent state tournament with boxers vying click here, or visit the USA Boxing website.

for a spot in the regional tournament in both (photo) Students train at the School Program in the Missouri Valley LBC.

THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 1 ISSUE IV DAVID CAREY David Carey, then a full-time student at the University of Anchorage, Alaska, He continued to train in the mess hall noticed his diligence and devotion to his until a better facility was available. And school work left him a bit on the heavy while Carey wouldn’t describe the new side. He went home to California for gym as “state of the art,” it has heavy spring break where his uncle told him bags, speed bags, and other bare about a boxing gym. Carey hoped the essentials used to prepare the heavy- training would simply shrink his waist- weight for his bouts. line. Little did he know it would become his lifestyle. The Alaskan gym sees a constant flow of people and Carey estimates it Carey began training at King’s Boxing has approximately 50 to 70 registered Gym in Oakland, Calif. Greats such members. The young athletes who as George Foreman and Andre Ward train there can say they box along side called this facility their home, illustrat- Alaska’s best amateur boxer—Carey ing its high caliber. But when Carey’s was the 2004 Ringside Champion, father moved the family to Alaska, a a three-time Tacoma Golden Gloves location lacking in boxing history, he Champion, and an alternate for the was forced to use a sub-par gym. “We 2008 Olympic Team. trained in a kitchen, at one point, in a I want my home to be,” Carey says. rec center,” he recalls. The kitchen had Although his boxing future is unclear “When they introduce me when I get in no bags of any kind, leaving shadow (he has not yet decided if he will pursue the ring, they always say ‘David Carey boxing and jumping rope as the only the 2012 Games or turn pro), one thing from Anchorage, Alaska.’” form of exercise. will remain constant. “This is where CHRISTINA CRUZ thought she would actually compete in boxed many of her opponents prior to a sanctioned bout. But she gave it a try the event. Her dedication to training and the 26-year-old bantamweight has also aided in the win. When asked won the New York Daily News Golden how she prepared, she enthusiastically Gloves three years in a row and looks replied with “a lot of hard training, a lot to add to her long list of accolades. of hard sparring, and a lot of drills,” she says. And while Cruz made each vic- Cruz began boxing approximately three tory look easy, she takes nothing away years ago. A natural-born athlete, she from her opponents. “I did fight tough participated in basketball and softball fighters and I just prepared myself to do before beginning boxing. After taking really good,” she says. a two-year hiatus from basketball, Cruz gave the sweet science a try. Since first Currently, Cruz works as a personal stepping into the gym, she has placed secretary, but says boxing is all she first at the 2007 U. S. Championships ever thinks about. As of right now, she and second at the 2008 U. S. Future has yet to decide if she will wait for Stars National Championships. a decision regarding the inclusion of women’s boxing in the 2012 Olympics, A New York City native, Cruz trains or turn professional. Either way, she Christina Cruz watched a state under Marco Suarez at the Cops N says she will continue to be a member Golden Gloves competition on televi- Kids BC. She felt confident going into of the boxing world. “Boxing is my true sion. Although she trained, she never this year’s Golden Gloves because she love.”

THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 2 ISSUE IV Team USA Prepares for the 2009 Junior World Championships in Yerevan, Armenia

camp before departing Barney Flores (McKinney, ) for Armenia. The thirteen with Bobby Lee (Alamada, Ca- young boxers represent- lif.) serving as Team Manager. ing the United States Mike Rosario (New York, N.Y.) will be pinweight Frankie will work as the AIBA official and Agnew (Chicago Heights, Dr. Robert Nielsen (Saratoga Ill.); light flyweight Edwin Springs, N.Y.) will serve as the Sandoval (Bakersfield, Team Physician. Calif.); flyweight Ray Ximenez (Dallas, Texas); Over 285 boxers from 39 coun- light bantamweight Car- tries are currently registered los Chavez (North Hol- to compete in the tournament, lywood, Calif.); bantam- which is taking place for the first (COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) weight Chuy Alegria (Fort time since the 2007 edition in – Thirteen of the United States’ Worth, Texas); featherweight Ri- Baku, Azerbaijan. Team USA won top junior boxers are prepar- cardo Gallegos (Caldwell, Idaho); three medals in the 2007 event, ing for the 2009 Junior World lightweight Manuel Rojas (Dallas, including a gold medal by Frankie Championships, May 23-30, at Texas); light welterweight Sema- Gomez. The United States ranks the Sport-Concert complex in jay Thomas (Chicago, Ill.); welter- seventh all-time in medal count Yerevan, Armenia. The event, weight Angel Bojado (Los An- with 15 medals. The event took which was previously known as geles, Calif.); light middleweight place for the first time in 2001, the Cadet World Championships, Gerald Sherrell (Pittsburgh, Pa.); and has been contested in every features the world’s top 15 and middleweight D’Mitrius Ballard non-Olympic year since its incep- 16-year-old boxers in what is of- (Temple Hills, Md.); light heavy- tion. ten an early showcase for future weight Benjamin Maine (Ellwood Olympians. City, Pa.); and heavyweight La- All of the bouts will be three, two- mar Richards (Philadelphia, Pa.). minute rounds, and competition The United States team will con- will take place in the 13 junior vene at the U.S. Olympic Training The U.S. team will be coached weight divisions. Center in Chula Vista, Calif., from by Al Simpson (Charlotte, N.C.), May 13-21 for a domestic training Gene Vivero (Dallas, Texas), and

Follow TEAM USA on Twitter, for up-to-the minute results and info! Click here or on the button to the right!

THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 3 ISSUE IV Staff Spotlight Edith Smith

Edith Smith serves USA Boxing’s membership as the Insurance Coordinator. She started at USA Boxing in October of 2007 as a temporary employee and has since moved on to a permanent capacity. In her position as Insurance Coordinator, Smith handles all medical accident questions claims and follow-ups, manages certificate of liability requests, field calls and questions about officials, inputs and maintains certificate records for all non-athlete certification, and deals with all certification level questions.

Smith became a grandmother to grandson, Shaun Easton O’Laughlin on March 16 and is enjoying her new du- ties as a grandma. She was born in Germany, but grew up in the Colorado Springs area, and is now married to her loving husband, Ernie.

USA Boxing and the California State Athletic Commission

The California State Athletic Commis- week suspension imposed by the com- commission meeting in June. Among sion ended its suspension of USA Box- mission on March 23. the areas to be pursued together by ing’s authority and events in the state USA Boxing and the CSAC will be (1) following a April 13 hearing in Los An- The CSAC and USA Boxing came to an development of a database providing geles. All four of the LBC presidents in agreement following witness testimo- electronic tracking of athlete’s records addition to USA Boxing members and ny. The two organizations met at the and injuries in the state of California, alumni, including 1984 Olympic gold direction of the Commission Chairman, (2) a reduction in grievance fees, (3) medalists Paul Gonzales and Henry Tim Noonan, to pursue an agreement development of a medical evacua- Tillman as well as Olympians Javier by both entities. USA Boxing and the tion process at sanctioned events, (4) Molina, Shawn Estrada and Vicente CSAC agreed to work together in the improved financial reports of events, Escobedo were on hand in support of scheduling of future amateur boxing and (5) the documentation to the state USA Boxing at the hearing. events to ensure that California state of local clinic events for coaches and inspectors may attend all amateur officials. Jim Millman and USA Boxing would boxing events as they do with ama- like to sincerely thank all of those who teur MMA and professional boxing. USA Boxing will continue to collabo- supported the effort to end the CSAC’s In addition, the two organizations rate with the four LBCs in the state as suspension of amateur boxing in the will collaborate on a more detailed well as the CSAC to ensure a positive state. Your assistance was critical to the plan addressing a number of recom- working relationship going forward. successful effort. The decision in favor mendations made by the CSAC to USA of USA Boxing ended a nearly three- Boxing to be presented at the next

THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 4 ISSUE IV Ticket Information for the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships

Tickets for the 2009 USA Boxing Thursday, June 11 and tickets run National Championships are now only $10 for general admission on sale through www.ticketswest. and $25 for floor seating. Thursday com and at all King Soopers loca- night will feature semifinal action in tions throughout Colorado. In ad- the 11 senior men’s weight divi- dition, there is a link directly to the sions with tickets priced at $15 for ticket sales page on USA Boxing’s general admission and $30 for floor website at www.usaboxing.org. All seats. Friday evening’s competition USA Boxing members will receive a will showcase the women’s talent 10% discount on tickets. In order to as the female boxers compete in fi- utilize the discount, enter the promo nal round action at 7 p.m. Women’s code LBCMEMBER on the Tickets final round general admission tick- West website. Please be aware that ets can be purchased for $15 and the code is case sensitive, so make floor seats are available for $30. sure to capitalize it when entering the letters. The 2009 USA Boxing National championships will conclude with Tickets for preliminary round action 11 championship bouts in men’s long pass for $50, which will include single session tickets are $7.50 and action on Saturday, June 13 at 7 general admission seating for all six a full day pass for both sessions is p.m. Three tiers of tickets will be days of boxing. Please be aware $10. Preliminary round action in all available for the men’s finals with that the member discount will not be of the divisions will be contested in upper level general admission seats in effect for the week-long pass it is four rings and two sessions per day, priced at $15, lower level general already a highly discounted price. Monday-Wednesday. admission tickets at $25, and floor seats available for $50. Visit our Facebook page for more in- Junior division championship round formation on the event, and become action will take place at 1 p.m. on USA Boxing is also offering a week- a fan of USA Boxing!

The 2009 National Golden Gloves Tournament, May 4-9

will compete in six nights of ac- the semifinals and championship tion for the title of National Golden bouts. VIP tickets are $35 for prelim- Gloves champion. Bouts will begin inaries and $45 for the semifinal and nightly at 6 p.m., and tickets are final round and include food vouch- available through the event website ers. In addition a general admission The 2009 Golden Gloves Tourna- at rockymountaingoldengloves.com. week-long pass is available for $50 ment of Champions will take place and a VIP weekly pass (including a May 4-9 at the Salt Palace in Salt General admission tickets are $10 week of food vouchers) is $200. Lake City, Utah. Over 300 boxers for preliminary rounds and $15 for

THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 5 ISSUE IV Updates: To provide better and more up-to-date LBC financial data, Membership Services will begin providing the LBC ledger reconciliation report on a quarterly basis. The report will be sent to the LBC Treasurer with the intent of alerting LBCs early on of mem- bership transmittal variances. We are hopeful that receiving a report every quarter instead of only at the end of the year will provide a better system of checks and bal- ances. If you have any questions, please contact Rose Tenorio at 719-866-2309 or email [email protected].

The 2009 USA Boxing Ringside Physicians Symposium

The 2009 USA Boxing Ringside Physicians Symposium will be held June 10-13 in Denver, Colo., in con- junction with the 2009 USA Boxing National Championships. Any licensed physician may participate in the symposium, and although USA Boxing membership is a prerequisite for the course, it is free and can be done at the symposium if necessary.

To take the certification exam, you must have three years of experience with USA Boxing or the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians. In addition, two letters of recommendation are required – one from your LBC president and another from other USA Boxing personnel. You must also have served as a lead physician at three events.

Go to the events page on USA Boxing’s web- site at www.usaboxing.org or contact Lynette Smith at (719) 866-2311 for more information or a Ringside Physicians’ Symposium appli- cation.

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THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 6 ISSUE IV USA Boxing Alumni News

round victory over Gerald Valdez for his kin in Dusseldorf, Germany, but Estrada second professional victory. 2008 Olym- didn’t enjoy the same success, dropping pic bronze medalist Deontay Wilder a ten-round decision. Light welterweight added his fourth professional contest to Olympian Rock Allen returned to the his resume in April as well, recording a ring on April 10 in Tucson, Ariz., winning first round stoppage of Joseph Rabotte a six-round decision over Adan Hernan- in Chicago, Ill., on April 25. Lightweight dez. Olympian Sadam Ali closed the month for the 2008 squad, winning a unani- Three 2000 Olympians enjoyed major mous four round decision over Bryan bouts in April as well, and middleweight Abraham on April 25th in Mashantucket, Olympian Jeff Lacy kicked off the ac- Conn. tion in a homecoming victory over Otis Griffin in Tampa, Fla. Light flyweight A trio of 2004 Olympians took the ring in Olympian Brian Viloria recorded a big April, beginning with lightweight Olym- victory over IBF champion Ulises Solis (photo) Deontay Wilder vs. Poland at the 2007 AIBA World Championships pian Vicente Escobedo. The Califor- in Manila, Philippines on April 18 to nia native took advantage of his late reclaim a world title. Finally, 2000 Olym- 2008 Olympian Shawn Estrada en- addition to Golden Boy’s Lightweight pic bronze medalist, Jermain Taylor, joyed two victories in April, beginning Lightning card in Austin, Texas on April closed the Olympic action for the month with a third round stoppage of Omar 6. Escobedo won a ten-round deci- in a super middleweight contest with Coffi on April 11 in Las Vegas, Nev. sion over Carlos Hernandez in the bout champion Carl Froch at Foxwoods Re- He followed up that victory with a first to notch another victory to his record. sort and Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. round stoppage of Nick Runningbear Super heavyweight Olympian Jason Taylor lost a 12th round stoppage in the in Leemore, Calif., on April 23. Olympic Estrada took the ring on the same night final seconds of the bout on Saturday, teammate Javier Molina joined Estrada in a heavyweight contest with 2004 April 25th. on the April 23rd card, winning a second Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povet- Olympians as Professionals (as of 4/29/2009) Olympic Year Number of Olympians Overall Wins Overall Losses as Pros 2008 7 21 0 2004 7 126 3 2000 11 204 30

Visit the Just a reminder, as a USA Boxing Mem- “Women’s ber, you can get a discount on United Boxing in Airlines flights to USA Boxing events the Olympic through the USA Boxing website (click Games” AIBA here for direct link) or by calling the Webpage, Olympic Desk at 800-841-0460. for all news and updates related to Women’s Boxing. Here, you can also download the official AIBA Women’s Olympic Boxing Brochure.

THE WRITE HOOK APRIL 2009 7 ISSUE IV