Colorado Springs, Poală. (Noiembrie 25, 2019) – Arkansas boxing icon Ray Rodgershas successfully dealt with more cuts than most surgeons, all the way into the USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame, in which he’ll be inducted on Friday night, Decembrie 13, during a special Class of 2019 ceremony, at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The HOF reception is being held in conjunction with the 2020 S.U.A.. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing and 2019 Campionatele Naționale, Decembrie. 7-15, at the Lake Charles Civic Center. The finals of the Olympic Trials will be held Sunday, Decembrie. 15, at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Cazinou. Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein from Showtime Sports will serve as the event’s emcee for the third year in a row.
The USA Boxing Alumni Association’s third HOF class also includes three Olympic gold-medalists, “Mare” George Foreman, “Smokin'” Joe Frazier și Mark Breland, as well as legendary coach Al Mitchell.
Sen. John McCain will be posthumously presented a special Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless work to protect boxers and elevate the sport.
There isn’t much in boxing, if anything, that Rodgers hasn’t done: boxer, official, antrenor, administrator and, desigur, cut om. “I’m a boxing guy,” Rodgers said in his Southern twang. “I’ve been around the block, several times. But I don’t say I’m a cut man, I’m a laceration management specialist.”
Rodgers first got into boxing when he was in the fifth grade, back in Oklahoma, where he was born. A memo was sent around that there would be a tryout for boxing held the next day at the local high school gym. His parents gave their permission to let him tryout, the first chapter of his incredible boxing career.
“From the first moment,” the charming boxing character remembered, “Am fost prins. I still have the letter I received in boxing. That was in 1947 and I’m still in boxing. I’m very proud of that.”
Rodgers has worked 39 world championship fights in professional boxing, as a cut man (he only trains amateur boxers) for the likes of world champions Jermaine Taylor, Wayne McCollough și Tommy Morrison.
“It’s been beyond belief for a regular old boxing guy like me,” Rodgers said about his life in boxing. “I’ve traveled all over the world, many times, as a cut man.”
He was the first national official of both the Golden Gloves and Silver Gloves. Mai Mult, he’s already been inducted in three Hall of Fames: Silver Gloves, Golden Gloves and Arkansas Sports HOF.
“Ray’s sacrifice to countless youth as a coach, mentor, cut om, and leader throughout the amateur boxing community is inspirational,” comentat Chris tofflemire, Box Alumni Director Executiv Asociatia Statele Unite ale Americii. “His years of service and the knowledge he has passed on to other generations is what makes him a Hall of Famer, and we look forward to honoring him in December.”
Rodgers hasn’t slowed down, despite recently celebrating his 83rd zi de naștere. He still owns and operates Ray Rodgers Boxing Club in West Little Rock, Arkansas, in addition to serving as director of the Arkansas Golden Gloves and Mid-South Tournament, which includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Western Tennessee and Arkansas. And he’s also the vice-president of the National Golden Gloves and chairman of the National Silver Gloves.
“At my age, I’m happy to have any birthday,” Rodgers joked. “I’m hoping to live another 10-12 an, Lord willing. It’s all in the Lord’s hands; controlling the flow of blood, deși, is in my hands.”
Confirmed special guests include 1988 Medaliat cu aur olimpic Andrew Maynard, three-time National AAU Coach of the Year (1972-76-77) Joe Clough, 1984 Medaliat cu aur olimpic Frank Tate și fratele său Thomas, 1972 Olimpic Tim Dement, 2002 Campion național Mănuși de Aur Jaidon Codringtion, 1980 Olympic Qualifier Jackie Beard, 1981 Junior Olympics Glen Modicue, four-time National champion Eric Kelly, 1988 Eastern Olympic Qualifier champion John Scully, Obie Beard, Mark Lanton șiStephens brothers – Donald, Anthony și Oală de noapte.
HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE USA BOXING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Creat pentru un campion pe tot parcursul vieții, relații reciproc avantajoase între Statele Unite ale Americii de box si absolventii sai, –boxeri, oficialii, antrenori și fani de box — Asociația Alumni se conectează generații de campioni, inspirat și dând înapoi viitorii campioni de box Statele Unite ale Americii de box a lui, în și afară din inelul.
Statele Unite ale Americii de box Alumni Asociația este deschisă pentru oricine care are o dragoste pentru box și-ar dori să rămână în legătură cu boxul amator. Membrii li se acordă acces la o gamă largă de gazdă evenimente speciale de către Asociația Alumni, inclusiv SUA box Alumni Association Hall of Fame recepție.
Pentru a vă alătura Asociației Alumni, pur și simplu se înregistreze la alumni@usaboxing.org Pentru o $40.00 pe an, taxa de membru. Noii membri vor primi un tricou, keychain și e-portofel.
CLASA DE 2017: The charter class was headed by Muhammad Ali și Evander Holyfield, in addition to veteran coaches Roosevelt Sanders și Tom Coulter.
CLASA DE 2018: S.U.A.. Olympic Team medalists and world (profesional) champions Roy Jones, Jr., Andre Ward și Claressa Shields, as well as former USA Boxing National Director of Coaching Emanuel Steward and veteran USA Boxing official Tom Cleary.