HOT PROSPECTS TO WATCH!

Winter 2006

ZANE CONNER

Zane Conner, 9, our 2006 Texas State Silver Gloves Champion has shown exceptional improvement since he joined the Club in January, 2006.  Tall for his age, Zane uses his height advantage to keep opponents at bay.

In a previous bout held in Beaumont earlier in the summer, Zane was matched against the 2005 National Champion in the 90# 8-year old division , a fighter with 32 fights to his credits!  To the dismay of the crowd and other attending coaches, Zane lost the match on a split decision.  A great display of Conner's skills and perseverance! 

Zane has won his last 4 bouts and will continue to dominate his age and weight class in upcoming matches in 2007.

ANDREW BETHEA

Andrew joined Newton Gym & Boxing Club in June to resume his amateur boxing career following a 4 year tour with the U.S. Army.  Bethea was stationed in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 and bravely served as a medic.  His self-discipline that was fine tuned during his armed services career has definitely followed him after his recent Army retirement!
 
 A strong, powerful and quick, has worked hard to develop 20+ pounds of muscle and weighs in at 184 pounds.  Andrew competed in 2001 and early 2002 fighting out of the nationally recognized Joe Grier Boxing Academy in New Jersey.  Before joining the Army, his amateur boxing career consisted of 4 decisive wins with 2 K.O.'s verses 1 loss on points.  His quick hands, powerful punches, textbook technique and 6'1" height are a tremendous advantage.
 
 "Andrew's primary goal is to travel to as many tournaments necessary to have an opportunity to qualify for the United State Olympic Boxing Team in 2008.  He has earned many gold medals and trophies, and if judged by his sparring ability and work ethics, this guy is going to do it!", Coach Karpel added.

PAUL ROSEMON

Rosemon, an aggressive and disciplined super-heavyweight, has defeated his last 2 opponents by knockout ... both in the 1st round!  When the bell rings to begin his bouts, Paul is focused on the job at hand.  He relentlessly pursues his prey, finds openings and delivers counter-punches in bunches with awesome power.  Rosemon's style has been compared to a blend of Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson. 

He sets a great example for the younger boxers in the Club as he and Andrew Bethea are first to arrive and last to leave for workouts.  The younger boxers look up to Paul not only because he assists them with learning the skills but he also sets a great example for others to follow.  Paul's social, spiritual and personal life is so respected and admired by everyone he meets.

Paul joined the United States Air Force and left for Lackland AFB on February 5th, 2007.  His goal to to enter Technical Training School and pursue his dream of becoming a flight engineer.  He also intends to return to Newton during leave opportunities and compete again in the Heavyweight Division. 

DAKOTA FLANIGAN

Dakota Flanigan, 12, is a 6th grade honor student at Newton Middle School.  Second youngest of 4 brothers, all excellent students and outstanding athletes, Flanigan is destined to high achievements in amateur boxing!  All the coaches agree that Dakota is the most dedicated junior boxer in our Club and his work habits and ambition are second to none.   He has natural ability, is quick, focused, strong and he absorbs all the lessons he's learning.   

Flanigan never horses around in the Gym ... it's all business and dedication with this young man.  Fearless, smart and agile, Dakota won the gold medal in his weight and age division at the Southeast Texas Regional Golden Gloves in late January. 

NATHAN HUTTON

An up and coming champion, Nathan Hutton, 9, and a 4th grade student at Burkeville Elementary, has the heart of a winner!  Also working on a weight reduction program, Nathan is learning self-discipline, boxing skills and gaining more self-esteem.  He works hard on his weightlifting-training, monitors his caloric intake and absorbs the boxing fundamentals he is learning.

Hutton follows instructions very well, has a great attitude and is tough as nails.  All the coaches look forward to Nathan losing weight in order to match him better within his age class.  Nathan and his brother hardly ever miss a workout.  With training he is receiving complemented by his desire to be a winner, Nathan will be a competitor to be respected in the Gulf Region of USA Boxing.