
DATE: Thursday, July 31, 1997               TAG: 9707290124

SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS         PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   53 lines

SPORT OF BOXING REDEEMS ITSELF

Editor's note: This page did not appear in the July 24 issue of The Compass because of a technical problem.

FANS TIRED of the tasteless theatrics which have marred recent prizefights were offered a refreshing alternative 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 on Saturday, July 19, 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: Staff photos by RICHARD L. DUNSTON

Chubby Ward, 18, of Portsmouth, fights James Jones in the 147-pound

weight division at the Norfolk Summer Amateur Boxing Invitational in

Norfolk.

AT LEFT: Andrew Farmer, 11, and his father, Scott Farmer, of

Fairfax, wait in the dressing room for Andrew's bout to begin at

Sherwood Forest Recreational Center. The youngster, who fights in

the 80-pound class, won his match.

AT LEFT: Gary Russell, 9, of Washington, D.C., won the 70-pound

weight class match against Jonathan Brown of Norfolk during the

Summer Amateur Boxing Invitational. The referee is Steve Rial of

Virgina Beach. Teams from Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond and

Washington featured fighters in the event, sponsored by the Norfolk