Fort Smith Boxing Association announces 2006 Honorary Board Members
Arkansas’ Fort Smith Boxing Assn. located at 2515 Midland Ave, at the Merit Gym has gotten a big boost of support from the boxing community. In November of this year it elected as president boxing writer, and historian Keith Terceira who also coaches and functions as the Mid-South Representative for the Retired Boxers Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists fighters when they leave the sport.
Honorary Board members announced are Emanuel Steward, Alex Ramos, Howie Albert, “Baby” Joe and Jack Mesi, Murad Muhammad, and Scott Pemberton.
Board Member Bob Lauderdale who has run the program for the better part of two decades is pleased with the boards choice.
“Keith brought what we needed most, someone to put in the time and enthusiasm to our club, now he has collected friends to help him raise our profile in the boxing community and help us grow so we can reach more youth in the Fort Smith area. This is such a great thing for us and boxing in the River Valley.”
“One day instead of sitting at home, I recalled all my coaches and felt the need to give back to the sport that I love, I didn’t do anything more than what volunteers do in any non-profit all across this state, so I called some friends for help, advise, and support.” Mr. Terceira replied when contacted. “ I saw what great people Kenneth Matthews, Steve Matthews, Don Pack, Bob, Ben Daily and Dr. Billy Criswell (FSBA Executive Officers) were and thought this was a program that I wanted to be a part of. I’m just blessed to have great friends in the sport of boxing.”
“Unbelievably super people are in this sport. First local promoter Stacy Goodson donated a pair of gloves that two-time champion Michael Moorer and local undefeated prospect J.D. Chapman signed , then Yusef Mack the USBA Champion sent a pair of signed gloves, Marshall Kauffman who is the father of Travis Kauffman, a great guy and future champion have sent gloves to help us raise much needed funds for gear and equipment, then it just took a life of it‘s own, I feel so blessed for knowing such great people.”
The first to lend his support to Fort Smith Boxing was legendary Hall of Fame trainer and HBO commentator Emanuel Steward who was the 1963 National Golden Gloves Champion.
“ Amateur boxing daily gives a creative outlet for youth world wide and I am proud to be on this board. I was honored when Keith asked me. ”
Also serving is President and Founder of the Retired Boxers Foundation Alex “The Bronx Bomber” Ramos who as an amateur was the 1979 USA Champion and a member of the 1980 Olympic Team that boycotted the Moscow Games on orders of President Jimmy Carter. Time New York Golden Gloves Champion (1977, 78, 79, 80) , also National Golden Gloves Champ, National Junior Olympics Champion, National PAL (Police Athletic League) Champion, Silver Gloves Champ and Empire State Champion , Ramos went on to become the USBA Middleweight Champion and the number one ranked contender.
“ I am proud to do this without a doubt, I‘m am returning the support that Keith has shown for our organization.”
Hall of Fame trainer and cut man, Howie Albert who worked with Emile Griffith, Muhammad Ali, and George Foreman to name just a few of the 68 fighters he worked with also has joined the board.
“ Boxing is nothing without amateur programs and if lending my support helps keep it going, then I‘m in. Volunteers run amateur boxing and you have some great ones .in Fort Smith ”
Undefeated heavyweight contender “Baby” Joe Mesi and his father Jack Mesi join the list of supporter and included a signed set of gloves for auction later in the year at a planned fundraiser. Mesi recently won a court battle to remove him from suspension in Nevada top be able to return to the ring and plans to box again soon.
“I interviewed Joe last week and knew that he travels to Tulsa often to visit with his close friend Promoter Tony Holden and took a shot at asking him. To my surprise both he and Jack Mesi were happy to lend a hand and the gloves that were on them.” Terceira joked. “All you see at times about boxing is the negative, then something like this happens and you wonder if all the bad press isn’t just to sell something to the public.”
Promoter Murad Muhammad who functioned as Muhammad Ali’s personal security and broke barrier’s by becoming the first African-American to be given a promoters license in New Jersey as well as the first to bring HBO into boxing had a simple answer when asked .
“I’d be honored”
Scott Pemberton who is from Mr. Terceira’s former hometown was a two-time NABF super middleweight champion with two successful defenses, the former NABO super middleweight champion, one successful defense and former New England super middleweight champion, with one successful defense and who recently lost to Jeff Lacy for the world title, rounds off those announced to date.
“ Scottie Pemberton is a class act and will always be a champion in our book . It‘s great to have these friends a phone call away to help me coach and be mentors to our members. God knew we needed this assistance and he provides always.”
“My dream is to make this boxing club a premier organization and reach out to more and more of Ft Smith’s young people. We want to show the parents in the area that boxing is a sport that instills dedication, strength and confidence. It is safer than many other sports at the amateur level including football. The big difference is that in boxing you can go to the Olympics if you are good enough and work hard, travel internationally and represent this great country. But good grades, good sportsmanship, and proper behavior is what we stress here as well. Our dream is to have a place that young men and women can go after school that’s safe and controlled.” Terceira added in closing.
Fort Smith Boxing Association Gym is open between 5:30 and 8:30 Monday - Friday and interested parties can contact them at 479-208-2039. FSBA is a nonprofit c503 organization and donations of equipment and funds are tax-deductible, and much needed.
KTerceira@boxingscene.com
