CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The USA Boxing Tournament for the chance to compete in the Olympics kicked off right here in the city of Charleston today.
1984 Olympic Gold Medalists Pernell Whitaker was there to speak to young competitors and give some advice to the up and coming fighters.
“It is okay to have a little swag,” the former undisputed lightweight champion said. “Use it in the right way though and don’t be a clown.”
Whitaker said he was glad to see amateur boxing still going strong after many years.
“Whatever I did in the sport, I never had more fun than in amateur boxing,” Whitaker said. “It is historic that I accomplished what I did, but now they get the same oppurtunity. Maybe one day I will come back and see them and they will be sitting at the (press conference) table.”
Whitaker was in attendance to give advice on boxing success, a good source considering his 40-4 pro record and titles in multiple weight divisions. Many of the kids asking for his picture simply called him “Champ”.
2017 will be the third time Charleston has hosted the national tournament.
Matches will begin Tuesday, June 26 at 12:00 p.m. at the Charleston Civic Center with over 800 boxers ranging in age from eight to 18 fighting for their chance to compete for Olympic gold.
One of the boxers fighting for their chance is Eskdale, West Virginia native and Junior Olympic qualifier Colby Wheeler.
Wheeler, who fights out of the Hometown Heroes Boxing Gym in Charleston, said it was an honor to represent West Virginia on a national, and possibly international scale.
“It is an honor fighting in my hometown, with my family and friends here supporting me,” Wheeler said. “I am ready to see the other boxers compete and show them what we are about.”
John Wheeler, Colby’s father, said this is something he never imagined when his son told him he wanted to compete in boxing.
“It is something I didn’t even dream about,” John said. “He went from wrestling to boxing back to back, and I told him if he wanted to get punched in the nose, he could get punched in the nose.”
Wheeler added he couldn’t be more proud of his son.
“He’s a fine young man, he does good in school,” Wheeler said. “I told him if I see him get the gold I will put his sign right over top of Jerry West’ right there on the turnpike, Cabin Creek, home of Colby Wheeler and Jerry West.”