Packing a wallop
At-risk youths take part in state amateur boxing competition
Local boxers take their best shots in amateur showcase.
Fort Lauderdale’s Malcolm Knight started boxing just six months ago, but he’s already making an impact in the sport.
Knight, 18, made his recent debut in the Sunshine State Games boxing competition at the Joseph C. Carter Park Gymnasium in his hometown.
Although Knight, 18, lost in his 165-pound Novice A Division semifinal match against Christian Castro, the Davie PAL Boxing team member hopes to eventually turn pro. Castro, of Fort Lauderdalebased Bang Boxing, went on to lose a split decision to Aaron McKay (5th Street Gym) in the final.
Knight, who attended Mavericks Charter High School in Fort Lauderdale, said boxing has become an important part of his life. He recently became a father, so he can’t be “reckless” anymore.
“This gets me away from (the street life). Now I can hit people legally,” Knight said. “I want to be a world champion, and this is just a step along the way.”
There were 73 fighters from throughout the state, as well as representatives from Puerto Rico, at the Sunshine State Games event.
There were 53 divisions, including the 132-pound Open Female classification, where Pompano Beach’s Chasity Martin (King Cobra Boxing) won a unanimous decision over Joke Dekeersschieter (Heart & Soul Boxing) for the state title.
Two boxers from Canino’s Gym in Dania — Gabriel Chacon and Casey Straw — also won titles. Chacon won a split decision over Emile Sanon (no gym affiliation) in the 132-pound Elite Division, while Straw won the 201-Plus Pound Elite Division by disqualification over Cyrus Williams (Palm Beach Boxing).
Tournament director Francisco Nazario served as boxing chairman for the Sunshine State Games. He was the Sunshine State Games champion in 1990 at 139 pounds.
“This helps kids at risk,” Nazario said. “Things happen very hard for kids in Florida, so I wanted to do something to help keep them off of the streets. It is better that they use that energy and skill in fighting in a gym, so they don’t get in trouble.”
Margate’s Jeffrey LaRece found boxing by chance. The 26-year-old started at Strike Gym in Coconut Creek to work on cardio and stay in shape, but that led to training to become a full-fledged boxer. The Sunshine State Games was his first amateur participation in the sport.
“It was good,” said LaRece, who was decisioned by Bang Boxing’s Reshawn Lewin in the semifinals. “(Boxing) tests your skill. You are not with a team like in football or basketball. It is you by yourself against the other person. It is a test of will.”
Lewin, 18, reached the finals of the 152-pound Novice B Division, where he lost a unanimous decision to Zacharie Deller (Boca Raton PAL).
“My cousin introduced me to (boxing), and I didn’t think I would like it,” said Lewin, an incoming senior at Dillard High School. “I got in the gym, and I fell in love with it.”
The Sunshine State Games marked Lewin’s debut in the sport, and he was pleased with his performance. He’s only been fighting for five months.
“I put my faith in God and just let loose. I wanted to come here and win,” Lewin said. “I like the sparring and training, but the bags don’t hit back. Once I get the first hit, that’s when it sinks in. Once I get hit, that’s what gets me going.”
This marked the first time in eight years that the Sunshine State Games included a boxing competition.
“We were excited about the op- portunity to bring boxing back,” said Stephen Rodriguez, vice president of the Florida Sports Foundation, which coordinates
the Sunshine State Games.
Gary Curreri can be reached at SportsCom5@aol.com.