Before the Cedar HIll native found the sweet science at the age of 17, he was already going in and out of jail.
Reflecting on his regressions today, Clarkson Jr. is not proud of his decisions, but he doesn’t regret them either because it made him the stronger.
Non-profit organization Ring Of Hope was created in 2010 to help kids like Clarkson Jr. in the greater Dallas area escape trouble. Oor die afgelope dekade, Ring Of Hope has transformed communities and changed the lives of the youth by educating, studente te bemagtig en te betrek deur die grondbeginsels van boks.
Clarkson Jr. is proof of the promise that Ring Of Hope presents. He embodies the organization’s mission , en nou, Clarkson Jr. (22-5, 15 Uitklophoue) will headline Ring Of Hope’s ninth annual “Night To Fight” on Saturday, Maart 7 when he takes on the Freddie Roach-trained Israel Duffus (19-6, 16 Uitklophoue) by die Toyota Musiekfabriek in Irving, Texas.
“It’s truly a huge blessing to headline Ring of Hope’s event,” said Clarkson Jr. “It’s great to see how Ring of Hope opens its doors to everyone and people of all different backgrounds. I want to become a part of a movement to show kids who may have troubled backgrounds that boxing accepts you no matter who you are.”
The light heavyweight Clarkson is a nine-year veteran who’s defeated the likes of Cedric Agnew and also challenged Dmitry Bivol and Jesse Hart in the past.
Before the 29-year-old southpaw appeared multiple times under the bright lights of Showtime television, he racked up an amateur record of 89-9 and won the National Pals in 2009 and the Ringside silver medal in 2010. Clarkson is also a two-time Texas Golden Gloves champion.
“I was a firecracker always up for a fight,” said Clarkson Jr. “I turned a negative into a positive. When I got introduced to boxing, it was mine, and I have stayed out of trouble for the last 13 jaar. Boxing has changed my life. For kids who are like me when I was growing up, if you have the right passion, there are no limitations to who you can become.”
Clarkson Jr. has frequented Ring of Hope gyms ever since its inception, whether it be for sparring, reconnecting with coaches and old friends or simply speaking and guiding children.
“A lot of the kids at Ring of Hope look up to me because I am a professional boxer. It feels great to motivate them,” said Clarkson Jr. “Ring of Hope is a great platform to help kids escape the streets. I take my hat off to them.
“I’ve returned to my comfort zone with spirituality. I’ve been reading the Bible a lot more and believe that God will set-up everything for me as a family man and a provider. I’ve fallen short a lot in the past, but ever since I’ve refocused my career, everything is falling back into place. Ek is opgewonde, and I can’t wait to put on a great show. Everyone will be pleased to see my skills. I’ll be coming to make a statement. I’m coming with a chip on my shoulder and I’m looking to dominate.”
Clarkson Jr. will attempt to conquer the Panamanian pugilist Duffus, a 27-year-old who’s been training with the Hall of Fame coach Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles ever since he permanently moved to the United States in 2014.
“The last few years have been rough for me. I split with my wife, and we have two very young children. The last thing on my mind in the middle of the storm was boxing,” said Duffus. “My personal issues were affecting me, but I’m doing better now, and I’m focused on putting my career back on track.”
Duffus was riding an eight-fight winning from 2017 en 2018 before his problems outside of the ring took over. He lost his next two fights by unanimous decision. Finally in a better place, he’s looking to bounce back versus Clarkson Jr.
“Freddie has a lot of confidence in me and my talent,” said Duffus, who also has an amateur record of 98-10. “He tells me exactly what I need to do to take advantage of my opponent, and that’s what I plan on doing March 7.”
Weltergewigte moet ook in afsonderlike wedstryde verskyn Jessy Martinez (14-0, 9 Uitklophoue) en Brandyn Lynch (10-1, 8 Uitklophoue), cruiserweight Robin Safar (10-0, 7 Uitklophoue) en die swaargewig Patrick Mailata (4-0, 2 Uitklophoue), Austin-gebaseerde super liggewig Robert Kevin Garcia (6-0, 5 Uitklophoue) en die Corpus Christi-gebaseerde liggewig John Rincon (4-0, 2 Uitklophoue).
Night To Fight sal regstreeks beskikbaar wees op Integrated Sports Pay Per View op kabel, satelliet en digitale betaal-per-kyk via in aanvraag, Vubiquity, DIRECTV en GEREG in die Verenigde State van Amerika, Shaw PPV in Kanada en wêreldwyd via die FITE.TV app en webwerf.
Hall of Fame Showtime TV-uitsaaier Al Bernstein, voormalige twee-afdeling wêreldkampioen Paulie Malignaggi en LA Times and Boxing Scene joernalis en skrywerManouk Akopyan sal die aksie van ringside oproep.
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Limited tickets and VIP dinner tables can be obtained through a sponsorship to Ring of Hope. Vir meer inligting, gaan www.ringofhope.com.
The Toyota Music Factory is located at 300 West Las Colinas Boulevard in Irving, Texas.
For more information on sponsorships, volunteering or to enroll a child in a Ring of Hope program, please email info@ringofhope.com. To provide a safe place for youth in the Dallas Fort Worth area to participate in after school boxing programs, click here to donate.
For up to date information, news and developments, besoek www.RingOfHope.com, and follow along online on the following Ring of Hope platforms—Instagram, Facebook enYouTube.
Nag om te veg 2020 promosie video
🥊 Hoogtepunte from previous Ring of Hope Night To Fight events
Fotos uit 2019 Nag om te veg, which took place Feb. 28 at the Frontiers Of Flight Museum in Dallas. The fight card featured undefeated prospects, voormalige Amerikaanse Olimpiërs en mense soos Hall of Famer-vegter Thomas Hearn en The First Lady of Boxing Jackie Kallen teenwoordig.
OOR RING VAN HOOP: Gestig in 2010 deur Steve Bolos, Ring of Hope is 'n nie-winsgewende organisasie wat poog om opvoeding te gee, bemagtig en betrek die jeug deur die grondbeginsels van boks. Met twee gimnasium-liggings - die South Dallas Club en die Colony Club - beklemtoon Ring of Hope op leierskapontwikkeling, fiksheidsprogramme en gemeenskapsuitreike terwyl die dissipline van boks onderrig word. Die liggings bied ook 'n veilige plek vir die jeug in die Dallas Fort Worth-omgewing om aan naskoolse boksprogramme deel te neem. Deur die soet wetenskap, Ring of Hope se afrigters en vrywilligers bemagtig die jeug om meer toegewyd tot gesondheid te raak, fiksheid en welstand terwyl hulle hulle ook inspireer om meer betrokke te raak by hul gemeenskap.