What Is The Current State Of North Carolina Boxing And What Are The 2018 Boxing Award Winners Doing? Some North Carolina Boxing Insiders Give Their Take
Raleigh, North Carolina (October 13) – With three months left in the 2019 North Carolina Boxing season, the question has been asked, What is the current state of North Carolina Boxing? What have the 2018 www.cboxinginfo Boxing award winners done in 2019? While we have not attended as many shows as we have in the past, we have consulted with some North Carolina boxing insiders to get different perspectives to find out What is the current state of North Carolina boxing?
Before we get into the opinions of the North Carolina boxing insiders and their assessment of the current state of North Carolina boxing, let us review the list of 2018 www.cboxinginfo.com Boxing award winners and briefly discuss their 2019 accomplishments.
The 2018 www.cboxinginfo.com Boxing award winners were as follows:
Fighter Of The Year: JacQuan Townes
Prospect Of The Year: Michael Williams Jr.
Newcomer Of The Year: Jose Iberra
Trainer Of The Year: Don Turner
Promoter of The Year/Event Of The Year: Christy Martin
Manager Of The Year: Gardner Payne
Most Inspirational: Carrie Flock
In 2017, JacQuan Townes was named North Carolina Boxing Newcomer of the year, In 2018, Townes was named North Carolina Fighter Of The Year, and in 2019, Townes fought one time in March and reportedly and respectively enlisted in the US Army. The former US Marine is in the Army now… “When you want to learn to become a badass, go Corps. Later on, when you actually want to be better paid for who you are and what you do, go ARMY.”
2018 Prospect of the year Michael Williams Jr has already proved his worth in 2019 150%. While Williams Jr. has not continued his blistering pace of fights, he has been in three memorable, if not historic, fights in 2019. Williams Jr. kicked off 2019 with a bang. In front of one of the largest crowds to recently witness live boxing in North Carolina, Williams Jr. gave the 1,400 in attendance a night to remember as he survived two knockdowns by LaShawn Alcocks to become the youngest fighter ever to win a WBF title. The second knockdown by Alcocks came in the final round and within 20 seconds of the final bell. The crowd, went from fever pitch to hysteric frenzy as Williams Jr. slowly climbed off the canvas and showed the heart of a champion to win the title by UD. Fight of the year status!!! He followed it up by going to Ringgold, Georgia and winning by UD. He won by KO in Charlotte, NC in May, but has been sidelined with an injury. On a high note, Williams Jr. recently signed with B&B Boxing Promotions. You might recognize two names involved with B&B – World Champion Terence “Bud” Crawford and longtime head trainer Brian “Bomac” McIntyre.
2018 Newcomer of the year Jose Iberra is in the gym training but taking time off in 2019.
Don Turner is still doing his thing and training some of the best at his camp in New Bern, NC.
In 2019, 2018 Promoter of the year Christy Martin had two entertaining shows in Charlotte, NC and is presently promoting shows in Jacksonville, FL.
The “Reign of Payne“ has truly begun. 2018 Manager of the year Gardner Payne is doing big things in 2019. Payne Boxing started a camp (Payne Boxing Camp) in Fort Lauderdale, FL. They manage Marcos Escudero and Alberto Palmetta. Escudero, who won the WBC Latin Lightheavyweight Belt in April, recently signed with Sampson Promotions. Palmetta is the current WBA FedaCaribe Welterweight Title holder. Both are slated to Appear on a televised fights in the near future. Payne Boxing has also signed talented Dominican fighters Juan Carlos Pena and Frency Fortunato.
Carrie Flock probably has the best story in all of North Carolina Boxing. Voted The Most Inspirational Person in North Carolina Boxing in 2018, Flock has not let go of the momentum. We do not have enough time or space to list everything she has done in 2019, but we can point you to the organization she has co-founded to give you an idea of her tremendous worth to the North Carolina Boxing community. Go look up Women of The Carolinas Fight Life (WOCFL) check out their Facebook page @wotcfl to see why Carrie and her partner Lei’d Tapa are touching lives in the boxing community.
Now to the meat and potatoes of this article, What is the current state of North Carolina Boxing?
We sent multiple invitations to get opinions from several North Carolina Boxing insiders and we promised them anonymity to get true opinions. A few responded and here is what they had to say about the current state of North Carolina Boxing:
“Wassup, Chris! I think it’s getting better now that the old heads are leaving. The fighters will never get better unless they check their ego’$. Not learning their craft and turning pro too early. None of the fighters want to help each other get better. The boxing commission has to go and learn from a highly trained and experienced boxing commission.”
“I think there are some really exciting things going on in boxing in North Carolina, but we still have some of the same challenges we’ve had in the past. As for the exciting items, we have two promoters, Christy Martin Promotions, and Walter Johnson, that are making tremendous efforts to put on professional shows with high-quality fights. They are both getting big crowds and are attracting sports fans to their events — not just friends and families of the boxers. Christy Martin has sold out CenterStage in NODA at all of her events this year and I think boxing and sports fans in Charlotte know that when they go to a Christy Martin show they are going to be entertained with good, evenly matched fights. Walter Johnson seems to be gaining similar momentum in Greensboro. I still think there is tremendous opportunity to grow boxing in the Triangle and eastern North Carolina.”
“I think our Boxing Commission is trying to find its way as boxing gains in popularity across our State, but I think they could be a little more consistent in the types of fights they approve and disapprove, be a little more formal on fight night and do some things to promote boxing a little more aggressively across our State. I’ve been blessed to have fighters fight in several different states and countries over the last several months and it has been interesting watching other State Commissions and how they operate. I like the formality in other States on fight night and how they go to great lengths to make sure all fighters and corners feel comfortable that everyone is being watched and treated equally. I also like that in most other States, not every fighter is required to be at the arena and the exact same time. The main event should not have to show up and sit around for six or so hours before their fight. They should be allowed to get to the facility later than the first fight of the night. In North Carolina, the fighters, corners, and trainers pay and complete the paperwork and see the doctor on fight night. Many other states require that to be done online weeks before the fight or at the weigh ins. I think having the registration done earlier makes for a better experience for the fighters. I would also love to see our Commission have its own sanctioned belt with champions in each weight class. I think that would encourage some of our fighters to fight one another more often and provide for some exciting bouts for fans. Lastly, our Commission needs to do a better job of requiring our top fighters to fight tougher fights. This is better for the boxer and better for the fans.”
“As for the fighters, we have some guys that are working hard and building pretty gaudy records. We have some young guys that are really training hard and reaching the point where they will have to step up their fights to get to the next level. It will just take one or two guys winning in those step-up fights to help build credibility for the North Carolina boxing community. I do feel like these young fighters need to visit and train in camps outside of North Carolina more often to get different sparring and to see how other fighters in “boxing States” train and prepare. However, it is very exciting that we have some really good, young fighters who have the ability and opportunity to reach the next level — if they want it badly enough and can make the personal commitment to achieve their dream. No one can do that for them. They have to have that inside of them.”
“Chris, unfortunately, I haven’t seen an improvement as promised by commission and promoters for the last year. It’s tough when lots of people just want to stay the way it is in NC.”
“2019 has been an exciting year of professional boxing in the State of North Carolina. Multiple promotions created opportunities for North Carolina fighters to display their skills. The number of shows has increased as well as the number of boxers. One thing that has not increased is the number of managers who sign boxers to deals that create additional opportunities and ease the financial burden for these fighters.”
“Two North Carolina fighters left the state and stepped onto a larger stage to display their skills. One stepped into the ring at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California and the other entered the square circle with the former champion of the world Chad Dawson at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Both fights were a big opportunity for two of our states very talented fighters.”
In my opinion, the current state of North Carolina Boxing is “UNFAIR.” While there is some truth to every comment sent to me about North Carolina Boxing and with any and every statement made, you can probably find that truth and a supporting example to back all claims, North Carolina Boxing, in the true sense of the word “UNFAIR,” is marked by injustice and partiality, North Carolina Boxing is not equitable in business dealings, and does not seem to follow the rules of the sport. North Carolina Boxing has not gotten any worse or any better but has been stagnant in approach and support. Here are the reasons I find North Carolina Boxing to be “UNFAIR.”
You can travel throughout the United States and find bad promoters, bad fighters, bad coaches, bad trainers, bad fans, and bad commissions which don’t support the sport of boxing. You could go to any gym, any show, or boxing commission to find an example of any of these. The difference, North Carolina Boxing is controlled by an “UNFAIR” minority.
Promoters are “UNFAIR” when they force a fighter with less than twelve (12) fights to fight exclusively on their cards when the promoter only provides one or two club level fights every three, four, or six months. In doing so, the promoters greatly limit the fighters’ ability to get sponsors and earn money in the ring. It restricts the fighters’ ability to grow their brand, so they are stuck in a perpetual state of waiting to fight and looking for money. This does not apply when a promoter signs a fighter and a fighter signs with a promoter; However, if the Promoter does not have the money to regularly purchase spots on select cards for the fighter so they can regularly earn by fighting and building their brand awareness to bring in sponsors, it is “UNFAIR” to hold a fighter hostage over what might be a total of $500 – $1200 per fight in the fighter’s pocket and this might be on the high end!!! These are unjust and are not equitable business dealings for fighters, other promoters, and fans.
Any athlete willing to risk their life by entering a boxing ring to battle should never ever be considered a coward or have their heart questioned, but North Carolina Fighters are “UNFAIR” when they allow Greed, Ego, and a Lack of Dedication control their decisions and preparation. There are “GREAT” athletes fighting out of North Carolina. I would be willing to take the best athletes in North Carolina boxing and have them compete head to head with any state. Unfortunately, I could predict the outcome. The prediction is not based on a lack of talent. The first obstacle is Greed. Many of the fighters don’t trust the process or are not willing to work the process through the long haul. A fighter has a little success and then starts to believe the small amount of success should turn into TV money, so they start making demands for meaningless club fights. When the money isn’t to their liking or does not fit their immediate gratification needs, the fighter will clash with their coach, trainer, manager, promoter, and other fighters. A disagreement over small money becomes partial, unjust, and it ends in bad business deals which are not equitable to the fighters or any parties involved.
An Ego might be the most common cause for North Carolina fighters to be “Unfair.” A NC fighter will build a record of 4-0 (4 KO’s) against opponents, who combined do not have four wins. The fighter will get some attention on social media, from family, friends, and fans. The fighter begins to believe the hype and calls out other local fighters, makes comments about nationally ranked fighters, changes training habits, questions coach’s training techniques, questions manager’s decisions, and questions promoters. The same support group that helped the fighter get to 4-0 are now wrong because the fighter got a few “Atta Boys” for over-hyped performances. Along with the Ego, Greed returns when the fighter demands more money for his following, which includes his closest family and friends, 2,000 social media followers, and a guaranteed 75 tickets sold at a club show with capacity seating of 800. Do the math. 3% of the followers are purchasing tickets and the fighter is only selling 9% of the possible attendance. Even in “Dope Boy” terms, you ain’t an Earner. Egos lead to marked injustice and partiality, business dealings which are not equitable, and do not seem to follow the rules of the sport where guys are supposed to build professional records. The only exception is when they are amateur standouts with 100+ bouts.
A fighter’s Lack of Dedication is “UNFAIR” and most intense because it is the ultimate betrayal to the fighter, the fighter’s fans, and to the sport of boxing. A lack of dedication isn’t just a fighter’s non-commitment to getting into shape, but it includes a will to not learn the craft of boxing and not make boxing 100% of your life to be a world champion. Unfortunately, I could take what I consider the top five fighters in North Carolina today and apply the Lack of Dedication tag to each. One fighter has all the talent and skill but refuses to commit to properly conditioning their body. Another has talent, heart, athleticism, charisma, class, style, but refuses to learn the art of boxing to perfect the skill. One fighter has absolutely everything including an undefeated record which makes major promoters salivate, but they refuse to go outside the state for sparring or to fight because it is outside their comfort zone. Regrettably, the actions or even the inactions of the fighters is “UNFAIR” to the North Carolina Boxing community because it allows outsiders to mark NC Boxing with injustice and partiality, to not be equitable in business dealings, and appear to not follow the rules of the sport.
On a positive note, there are three young fighters which this might not apply, but one is still an amateur and the other two young pros have supreme guidance from family and some of the best minds in the sport of boxing.
Coaches and Trainers have the hardest job in boxing. They are part time parent, psychiatrist, agent, financial consultant, teacher, disciplinarian, friend, and boss. North Carolina Coaches and Trainers are “UNFAIR” when they stop educating fighters to earn a quick buck. Yes, Coaches and Trainers are on the front line battling the aforementioned Fighter’s ego and greed, but it is the Coach and Trainer who is responsible for making sure the fighter is prepared mentally and physically for every fight. The job isn’t easy, but too many times in North Carolina, Coaches and Trainers stop educating and abandon the routines and work ethic they used to get their fighter to a certain level. Example, a certain North Carolina fighter impressively earned a 9-0 record. Along the way, the coach/trainer slowly introduced the fighter to new techniques and discussed the fighter’s weaknesses preparing the fighter for big fights. For the fighter’s 10th fight, they are offered a winnable fight on a large stage, a payday that quadruples what they made combined in their first nine fights, and six weeks to prepare. The fighter begins to believe their own hype, changes training techniques, stops coming to the gym, spends money in advance, takes on an entourage, doesn’t report to the gym, and eventually has an embarrassing performance in front of the world of boxing. Yes, the majority of fault falls on the fighter, but it is the responsibility of the Coach/Trainer to prepare and establish the six week training schedule. The Coach/Trainer should know the fighter’s challenges and plan appropriately. If the fighter needs a ride to the gym, a babysitter, carpool, or whatever, the Coach/Trainer should plan around it so they maximize training. On days when the fighter does not want to go to the gym or is going half ass in training camp, it is the Coach/Trainer’s job to motivate the fighter and keep them on task. The Coach and Trainer pay is prearranged so why not earn your money? Coaches and Trainers who stop educating and motivating their fighters are “UNFAIR” to the North Carolina Boxing Community because they create a culture and perception of NC boxing that is marked by injustice and partiality, places North Carolina Boxing in non equitable business dealings, and does not seem to follow the rules of the sport.
A good friend of mine says, “there are too many people involved in boxing that don’t know the difference between a left hook and a fish hook.” This is true for the North Carolina Boxing Commission. While their mission is to protect fighters and create the most competitive situations possible, the North Carolina Boxing Commission is “UNFAIR” because they do not have knowledge of the sport and are inconsistent in their rulings and treatment of promoters and fighters. As of October 1, 2019, a new boxing commission is in charge, so things may change. But, and this is a huge “But,” if anyone on the new commission can not identify James Toney, Roy Jones Jr, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield, or even Mike Tyson, then it is a farce. The commission will be a farce, because it will be made up of people who have not studied the history of the sport and do not understand the intrinsic details which make boxing the sport of kings. Boxing is a lot more than just making sure weight disparities do not exist and a 40-0 fighter isn’t fighting a fighter with a 2-10 record that was knocked out less than 30 days ago. Boxing is being involved with the fighters, gyms, promoters, trainers, matchmakers, fans, and media. It is why fight cities like “Philly” thrive. It is why, when it comes to Boxing, Vegas is Vegas. It is what North Carolina can do to improve their reputation. Yes, NC boxing needs rules enforced, but the enforcers need to know WHAT the rules being enforced are and WHY they are being enforced. Answers like “because that is what the rules state” is no longer acceptable. North Carolina Boxing Commission, please reach out to other commissions, hire a retired commissioner from New York, New Jersey, or Nevada as a consultant to get things in place. Hell, consult with some of the boxing Hall of Fame members living and working in the state of North Carolina for advice. Until the new commission is in place and a Memorandum of Agreement can be completed by the new Bill recently signed into law by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, there will be some growing pains during the transition. Until the changes are made, the North Carolina Boxing Commission is continuously “UNFAIR” because they and they alone construct a culture and perception of NC boxing that is clearly marked by injustice and partiality, places North Carolina Boxing in non equitable business dealings, and does not seem to follow the rules of the sport.
North Carolina Boxing keep your chin up because Hope and help are on the way!!!
