by Don Mooney 4-13-23
Memphis, Tenn — In a land dominated by Grizzlies and Tigers, another sport, lurks just under the sports radar in Memphis, Tenn. Popularly known as ‘the Sweet Science,” area amateur pugilist from Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Louisiana will compete in this years USA Boxing sanctioned regional Golden Gloves event this weekend, April 14-15 at the event Center, 995 Early Maxwell
The best amateur boxers will compete in 14 bouts, three 3-minute rounds for each fighter. Friday’s winners come back Saturday, and whoever wins there goes to nationals in Pennsylvania.
MPD boxing association has been around since 1975 using boxing as a tool to connect with at risk teens offering Memphis youth an alternative outlet, grounded in discipline and work ethic. Thanks to coaches like 21-year veterans MPD Officer Brian Hall and Reginald Foster, both products of Shelby County School system, have been influential to professional careers of Memphians Ladarius Miller (26-0-1) and DeAngelo Leachman (9-0) just to name two.
Cruiser weight boxer and Orange Mound, Tennessee product LaDarius Leachman is the classic youth whom the ‘sweet science” plotted a different life course than where he was trending. Leachman boast a 45-5 record with four national titles as an amateur. Currently ranked 8th in the country at 190lbs as a professional. “I grew up in Orange Mound, Tennessee. I grew up fighting…Angry! Getting locked up. Ended up getting incarcerated as a youth. There I found MPD boxing,” stated Leachman. “I found that and it turned my life around. “
Leachman doesn’t hesitate to expound the benefits of boxing. For him, it’s the little things. “You can get out with this sport. I never been out of town before, before this sport. Never been on a plane, out the country. This sport of boxing can take you a long way. Without MPD boxing I know I would be dead or somewhere in jail. MPD boxing saved my life!”
What can the crowd expect to see Friday and Saturday night? According to Officer Foster, “you will see some guys who’ve been training hard. Plenty of guts, tough guys who’ve been putting in some work. Trying to make weight. Being disciplined, watching what they eat.”
Friday doors open at 5pm. First bell at 6pm. Saturdays first bell is at at noon until.
Perdictions; “Come on out. Very soon you’ll have a world champion in Memphis, Tenn,” brags Leachman.