State Junior Olympic Boxing Championship Comes to Darlington

State Junior Olympic Boxing Championship comes to Darlington

Enjoy the sweet science displayed by some of the state of South Carolina’s best young talent as The Lions Den Boxing Gym will play host to the State Junior Olympic Boxing Championship on Saturday, March 1, in Darlington.

The first of its kind for the City, this event will take place at the A.W. Stanley Gym at the BA Gary Educational Complex, 100 Magnolia St., with weigh-ins from 10 a.m. to noon and matches beginning at 2 o’clock.

General admission tickets are now on sale at the Darlington Recreation Department and the A.W. Stanley Gym for $10. Tickets for students with an ID are $8. Concessions will be available at the gym.

The Lions Den Boxing Gym set up shop at the A.W. Stanley Gym in 2013. Team Manager Jackie Lynn Jernigan also serves as a certified coach, official and registration chair for USA Boxing.

In their backyard and garage, she and her husband Bobby Parker Jr. have trained their two boys in the sport with much success. Bobby Parker III, now 17, collected a slew of state and regional titles and championships in his young career. Judah, age 14, has held the S.C. State Silver Gloves Championship for four consecutive years among other state and regional titles he has won.

Winning titles isn’t the only goal of the Lions Den. Jernigan wants the gym to give young people a positive environment where they can learn skills and discipline, stay active and fit, and, more importantly, stay out of trouble like gangs.

Boys and girls ages 8-16 are welcome to box at The Lions Den. Practice begins at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. For more information or to help keep this program growing, contact Jackie Lynn Jernigan at (843) 393- 9005 or 858-8352 or by email at [email protected].

Directions to the gym

From Florence: Take South Main Street (US 52 Business) into town. In approximately 6/10th of a mile, turn left onto Bacote Street. At the stop sign (third intersection), take a right. The BA Gary Educational Complex and parking will be on your left. The AW Stanley Gym is at the back of the complex.

From Hartsville: Take 151 into Darlington. Turn right onto South Main Street at the County Courthouse. Continue on Main Street approximately 1 mile. Turn right onto Bacote Street. At the stop sign (third intersection), take a right. The BA Gary Educational Complex and parking will be on your left. The AW Stanley Gym is at the back of the complex.

For boxers, coaches, and staff

From US 52 Bypass / US 401: Take SC 151 into Darlington. Continue on Pearl Street approximately 1 mile. Turn right at the light at Piggly Wiggly onto Edwards Avenue. In about 6/10th of a mile, the road ends in front of Mayo High School for Math, Science and Technology. Turn right onto Chestnut Street. In about 1200 feet, take a left onto Lighty Street. Continue on about 500 feet and turn into the parking lot on your right adjacent to the City Pool. The AW Stanley Gym is in front of you - a dark brick building behind the chain link fence.