Select Senior
Boxers Travel To Houston For Sparring!
Early this Fall, the Newton Gym & Boxing Club coaches selected 3 heavier division
amateur boxers to travel with Coach Karpel to Main Gym in Houston, a
facility operated by a representative of Top Rank Promotions who
trains and promotes professional boxers for various venues throughout the
United States. The club is also home of the successful Bayou Boxing
Club, an amateur club managed by internationally recognized Walt Hailey, who
trains nationally ranked amateurs and several future professional boxers.
Pictured from left to right are Darlington Agha, a tough super-heavyweight
competitor training out of Main Gym, Newton Gym & Boxing Club athletes Paul
Rosemon, a competitor in the heavyweight division, 2006 Newton High School
graduate and State Champion football player, Andrew Bethea, a seasoned
light-heavyweight and Max Karpel, our premier super-heavyweight.
"In order to give our older and heavier division boxers additional ring
experience between sanctioned amateur bouts, we stepped it up a notch to
give those men an opportunity to spar with seasoned amateurs and experienced
pros," Coach Karpel commented. "Our goal is to prepare our Newton area
amateur boxers for the Golden Gloves Tournament and other state and national
events. Working with more experienced sparring partners simply makes
our athletes better," Karpel added.
Rosemon, a tough, determined and strong heavyweight, went several rounds
with the intimidating Darlington Agha. "I learned from this match that
I have to be even more aggressive and get inside my opponent's range to
execute my body shots so they are more effective," Rosemon stated after his
bout. Rosemon performed well and several advanced techniques he has
learned at Newton Gym & Boxing Club were initiated at this practice session.
"Paul is developing into a devastating body puncher. His style is
patterned after former world champion Joe Frazier ... work your way inside
your opponent's effective reach and score on body shots. Paul is
putting it all together and he'll be a formidable competitor," Coach
Karpel said following Paul's bout.
Bethea sparred with a former amateur champion sporting a 34 victory record
and both boxers worked hard for 4-2minute rounds, identical to the time and
rounds open class boxers compete during Golden Gloves elimination bouts.
Bethea's quick and powerful jabs, coupled with his exceptional footwork and
hand speed, resulted in a great practice sparring session. Following
the match Bethea commented, "It was great working against a more experience
boxer and Coach Karpel was quick to point out some mistakes I made and what
additional skills I will refined when back in the Gym at Newton. I
felt good with my wind, endurance and other fundamental techniques the
Coaches have assisted me with during the past 3 months." Following the
session, Coach Karpel stated, "I'm pleased with the progress Andrew has made
and this experience will definitely help him refine his skills in
preparation for the Golden Gloves and ultimately a Texas State
Championship."
Max Karpel, a tough, strong and determined super-heavyweight, also sparred
with Agha. Karpel's hand speed and footwork kept his opponent at bay
while jabs and hooks found their target. "Max is mastering the
fundamentals and he is concentrating on developing advanced techniques much
quicker than most amateurs. This was a great experience for him since
most super-heavyweights in USA Boxing®
are not as tall as he is. Max takes instructions well and his quick
footwork, awesome speed and punching power will prove to outpoint or KO his
opponents as he prepares for the Golden Gloves and national events, " Coach
stated. His knees are not taking the pounding and abuse that resulted
from nearly a decade as an offensive lineman in football and Max's
determination to be the best super-heavyweight is evident by his
self-discipline and improving skills.
All three Newton Gym & Boxing athletes totally enjoyed the opportunity to
work with the Main Boxing Club athletes and we expect to make additional
visits on a regular basis to other pro clubs every 2-3 weeks.
Thanks again to Main Boxing Club, Bayou City Boxing Club and especially
Coach Walt Hailey for allowing our boxers to practice at their facility in
Houston!
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