Golden Gloves boxing card set for Saturday night in JC

By Joe Bowling
OUTDOORS EDITOR

   Tri-Cities Boxing will be held this Saturday night at Carver Recreation Center. The matches will get underway at 6 p.m as teams from North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Knoxville, Nashville, Crossville and Johnson City will participate.
   Scott Vance, coach of the Johnson City team, stated the show will be put on to give local fans a chance to see how the local team has improved from last year.
   "Kids are our main business," stated Vance. "We have some 30 boys taking part in the program and will have over 60 when football is over. The program is going great and the reason for this is the outstanding people we have that are helping out the program.
   "The Johnson City Housing Authority; City of Johnson City; Jaime G. Oakley, M.D. ETSU Family Medicine Association; Lee Morrow, ETSU fitness coach; Jeff Price, Science Hill wresting coach; and Ed Simbecki, executive director of the Johnson City Housing Authority, just to name a few, have helped the program to grow.
   "The program helps to keep the kids off the street and to make better citizens for the future. Who knows, maybe we will have a Olympic Champion."
   Vance is assisted by Cob Riddle and Levell McClinstock.
   "The team works out every day and we can see the improvement both in the ring and out of the ring," said Vance. "We would especially like to thank Dr. Oakley for his time he spends with the kids. Dr. Oakley works out with the kids and is a true friend of the boys in the program."
   One of the younger boys scheduled to take part in Saturday night's fights: Dillon Dawson, age 12, 105 lbs. Dillon has had 27 fights with a record of 19-8.
   Others set to do battle are Charlie Watson, age 12, 100 lbs., 15-5 record; Dustin Miller, age 12, 80 lbs., 12-10 record; Cody Rohrer, 11 years old, No fights but has the possibilities of being a good boxer; and Blaton Watson, age 10, 2-3 record, also shows great promise.
   In the open division, fans will see Joseph Washington in action. This 165 pounder was ranked number four in the U.S. last year.
   Washington's last fight was in Knoxville and he went four rounds with Shawn Johnson of Cincinnati, Ohio. Washington lost a close split decision to Johnson.
   Earlier Johnson beat the number one boxer the U.S.
   "I'm getting ready now for the U.S. District in Birmingham, and later plan for the U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas," Washington said.
   Washington was ranked No. 3 nationally in the 19-under class. He has high hopes to win the Southern Golden Gloves scheduled in April.
   James Colston, 147 lbs., was ranked No. 3 last year nationally.
   Coach Vance also likes the hard work of Jueilles Alberto. Coach Riddle pointed out that Alberto can put your lights out with either hand.
   Josh Phillips is a newcomer and shows a lot of promise.