LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
BOXING SHOW
June 17th, 2006

This was our first boxing show in Louisiana that NG&BC participated in.  Sponsored by Bad Boys Boxing Club out of Lafayette, some 200 spectators viewed the 24 matches presented by some 12 boxing clubs from Louisiana and Mississippi.

Normally, Newton Gym & Boxing Club participates in shows within the Gulf Region such as Houston, Conroe or Bryan.  To give our youth athletes additional  training with a variety of opponents, we decided to cruise to the Southern Region of USA Boxing®.  We look forward to another trip to Louisiana following several more shows in Houston to compete August 5th in Crowley, Louisiana.

We took six boxers to the Lafayette Show in the motorhome and returned with two 1st place trophies with 4 runner-ups.  Several family members and friends of our boxers drove some 2-1/2 hours from East Texas to support their boys.

Zane Conner, left, connects with a perfect left hook to his determined opponent.  Zane kept the pressure on throughout all three rounds and was awarded the 1st Place Trophy in the 8-year old 86 pound bracket.  Conner used the fundamentals he has been learning to perfectly execute a variety of blows that slowed his aggressive opponent to a crawl by the final round.

Chalk up another victory for Frederico Johnson, right, as he threw barrage after barrage of blows to his south paw opponent from Mississippi.  In the opening seconds of the 1st round, he charged Frederico with the intent of stopping the match early.  That was the wrong game plan and Frederico was ready to react.  Freddy immediately responded, flipped the switch and went on the attack.  Although the boxer was strong, experienced and capable, the referee stopped the fight late in the 2nd round when, for the second time, Frederico delivered an awesome straight right lead and caused the ref to give his opponent a second standing 8-count and end the contest.

Zane Conner and his mom Amanda, posed with Zane's 1st Place Trophy following the match.  "Zane followed my instructions perfectly and used his long arms and determination to outpoint his opponent," Coach Karpel commented following the match.  "Zane is the real deal and we expect he will be ready to take the gold in Golden Gloves next February," Coach Tracy added.

Derek Poe, pictured with his family and their friends, fought a textbook perfect fight with his skilled opponent from Lafayette.  "Derek delivered body and head shots that were executed exactly like we have taught him," Coach Karpel commented.  Poe has improved dramatically since his last fight in May at a Lufkin show.  He is very disciplined in the gym and does more than is expected.  The true sign of an upcoming champion!

Beau Davis, right, pictured with his family following his courageous and hard fought match.  His opponent kept the pressure on and Beau returned with perfect jabs and rights to keep his man at bay.  This was Beau's first fight and his coaches, parents and fellow boxers were impressed.

This young man has improved dramatically in body and mind since he started with Newton Gym & Boxing Club back in February.  He will take it to you and is not frightened to get in on.  His supportive parents commented that since Beau has been in training, his self-confidence is emerging as his skills and body development continue.  Also pictured is his brother, Brennen, 6, who trains at the Club also.

Skylar Conner fought a great match although the split decision went to his opponent.  Conner is a charter member of the Club and has been boxing for nearly a year.  His footwork is exceptional, hand speed awesome and his power is hard to rival in the 10 year old division.  Skylar continues his quest to win Golden Gloves in February as he moves from the sub-novice to novice class.

Our newest boxer and Hot Prospect is Billy Ray Bobbitt.  He works construction full-time yet shows up at the Club around 5:30pm and gives his workouts full concentration and effort.  He will be ready to box competitively around the middle of July.  Athletic, strong and aggressive, Bobbitt is a natural born competitor and will surely dominate the 178 pound bracket in the months to come.  Billy Ray did all the filming from the video deck in preparation for the staff at Newton Gym & Boxing Club to produce a DVD for each member of the Club.