DATE: Friday, July 25, 1997                 TAG: 9707230163

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   31 lines

YOUNG RUMBLERS

FANS TIRED of the tasteless theatrics which have marred recent prizefights were offered a refreshing alternative Saturday night at Norfolk's Sherwood Forest Recreation Center - boxing, pure and simple.

By substituting jabs, hooks and ring generalship for intentional low blows, hugging and ear-chomping, the 22 participants in the 1997 Norfolk Summer Amateur Boxing Invitational did more than just put on a good show.

They also offered a cynical public a credible defense for boxing as a legitimate sport.

Teams from Norfolk, Portsmouth (namely the Bad Boy Boxing Club), Richmond and Washington featured fighters in the event, which was sponsored by the Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks and General Services. The City of Norfolk team, led by coach Dan Campbell, won the team title.

Outstanding boxer honors were claimed by Maxwell Taylor (95 pounds) of Aberdeen, Md. in the junior division, Norfolk's Isaiah Hyman (178 pounds) in the novice class and Norfolk's Timothy Davis (156 pounds) in the open division.

The sport returns to Norfolk with a ``Boxing in the Park'' card on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. at Barraud Park. Teams from North Carolina, Washington and Philadelphia are expected to join the local teams. ILLUSTRATION: [Photos] KEYWORDS: SPORTS BOXING

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