The Thriving Amateur Boxing Scene in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, North Carolina, boasts a vibrant amateur boxing community, with several gyms and academies dedicated to nurturing talent and promoting the sport. Among these, The University of Boxing, run by Tony Douglas stands out as a beacon of excellence and dedication. This gym has been instrumental in shaping many successful boxers.

One of the notable achievements includes University City resident winning the national Golden Gloves championship on July 26, 2014. Lynn Holmes, 36 at the time, recalls the aggressive fight and the invaluable advice from Coaches Krishna Wainright and Tony Douglas: "You never put your hands down, never stop fighting. Leave everything in the ring."

The University Of Boxing Coach Tony Douglas

Boxing Coach Tony Douglas

Douglas, now 63, fought and won the North Carolina championship in 1982 and competed in the 1984 Olympic trials. Tony Douglas has aspirations of writing a book entitled Discerning The Voice of God By The Leading of The Holy Spirit!

Tony Douglas was born and raised in Huntersville, NC. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Wanda, and a father of 3 young adult children, Jordan, Adria, and Jaquan. Outside of spiritual things, he loves reading self-development books, coaching boxing, spending time with his dog Sasha, and having quiet time.

As a young man, at the age of 19 he joined the US Army. There he grew as an individual and became a fine leader. Three of his greatest accomplishments while in the military were attending Basic Leadership School, competing in the 1984 Olympic Boxing Trials, and giving his life to the Lord.

Tony has been a licensed minister since 1998 and is very active in his Church. In 2001, Tony became a Therapeutic Foster Parent. He and his wife devoted 15 years of their life to this work. He has received numerous certifications in this field.

Tony is known for his peaceful personality and patience with people. He is thankful to God for all of the things that he has accomplished.

Wainright, now 62, went on to become a professional boxer, winning Golden Gloves and USA Boxing Championships and fighting on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" and in HBO pay-per-view events.

Highlighting Promising Fighters

On November 14, 2009, Paul Duty had his first amateur boxing match. This fight was to determine the North Carolina Silver Gloves Lightweight Champion for various weight classes. Paul fought a determined battle according to his coach Tony Douglas. Coach Tony instructed Paul to find his opponent and push him as hard as he possibly could. Coach Tony states that Paul performed exactly as he was instructed to. Paul fought three hard rounds. Paul Duty won the North Carolina Silver Gloves Championship Lightweight (132 pound) Championship in his division.

Paul did advance to the Silver Gloves Regional Championships

Congratulations Paul!!!

Charlotte Boxing Academy

Charlotte Boxing Academy is another pillar of the local boxing scene. This joint venture between the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and a private club funded by donations focuses on making life champions. They mentor youth boxers aged 10-18 to reach levels that can earn them college/university scholarships or military education. For adults, they offer evening boxing conditioning training for all ages.

Dyme Boxing & Fitness

Dyme Boxing & Fitness is a community-oriented gym that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds and skill levels. Their mission is to train champions, whether for fitness or competition. Located at 4560 Old Pineville Rd, they offer a variety of boxing and fitness workouts to improve endurance, strength, and coordination.

Ultimate Gym

Ultimate Gym also contributes to the thriving boxing culture in Charlotte, providing a space for boxers to train and compete.

Hall of Fame Recognition

The Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame has honored many exceptional individuals who have contributed to the sport's growth in the region. For more information, you can visit their website here.

Together, these gyms and academies create a supportive and competitive environment that helps boxers of all ages and skill levels reach their full potential.

University City resident wins national Golden Gloves championship

University City resident wins national Golden Gloves championship

I remember it being a very aggressive fight,” said Holmes, 36. “She used her height and weight to smother her punches. Coach (Krishna) Wainwright told me you never put your hands down, never stop fighting. Coach Tony (Douglas) says leave everything in the ring.”

Best friends teach the sweet science

Best friends teach the sweet science

Douglas, now 50, fought and won the North Carolina championship in 1982 and competed in the 1984 Olympic trials. Tony Douglas has aspirations of writing a book entitled Discerning The Voice of God By The Leading of The Holy Spirit! 

Wainright, now 49, went on to become a professional boxer, winning Golden Gloves and USA Boxing Championships and fighting on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" and in HBO pay-per-view events.

Read more here:Best friends teach the sweet science

NOTABLE LIFE CHANGERS 

IN THE BOXING INDUSTRY…

 KRISHNA WAINRIGHT 

AND 

TONY DOUGLAS

KRISHNA WAINRIGHT

A PROFESSIONAL BOXING JUDGE, REFEREE, TIME KEEPER, TRAINER and 

BOXING PROMOTER

Born at Ft. Bragg North Carolina  and grew up in Colorado Springs Co. Played various sports in school to include track and field, football, baseball, and basketball. I joined a taeKwondo team at Ft Carson Colorado from the age of 14 years old through 17 years old

I met Tony Douglas in basic training that became my best friend and was stationed at Ft Bragg in 1980 with a medical unit. I tried out for and joined the boxing team at Ft. Bragg in 1982 and trained under 1988 Olympic Coach Hank Johnson. I have had the great opportunity to work with great coaches Army Coaches like 1976 Olympic Silver medalist Charles Mooney, World Champion Coach Alfonso Smith,  2004 Olympic boxing coaches Basheer Abdullah and Anthony Bradley.

I have had the opportunity to learn from and train with the majority of the Olympic Coaches from 1988 to the present. I believe that I work perfectly well with every fighter that I train because I can look back in retrospect and use skill, technique, strategy and understanding that I have learned from every Olympic coach in the past 20 years. 

TONY DOUGLAS

A PROFESSIONAL BOXING JUDGE, 

REFEREE, COACH, TIMEKEEPER, 

TRAINER AND MANAGER

I started boxing in 1981 with the Ft. Bragg Coscom boxing team.  In the summer of 1981 I became Coscom boxing champion.  I joined Ft. Bragg Post boxing team and became Post Champion in 1982.  Also in 1982 I became the Gastonia, NC Golden Gloves Champion.  In 1983 I won the NC State and Regional Championships which both tournaments were very tough.

I also competed in an International Boxing event against Ireland.  I lost in a close decision. In 1984 I became Forscom Champion.  This was the most challenging tournament I ever fought in.  This boxing event brought the best boxers from around the world from every branch of the United State military forces. Becoming the 106 pound champion gave me the opportunity to compete in the 1984 Olympic Trials. 

In 1983 at the age of 20 I became Ft. Bragg’s Coscom boxing coach. After finishing my Army tour in 1984 I was the assistant coach for the Charlotte PAL boxing team with Ed Smith.  In 1986 I was assistant coach for Lou Kemp Boxing team in Charlotte, NC.  After Lou Kemp died and his gym was brought by the City of Charlotte I took a long break.  In 2002 I became a certified Judge and boxing coach for USA Boxing with Charlotte Boxing Academy under the leadership of Al Simpson.  In 2008 I started my own boxing club “University of Boxing”.  

Speed channel steers into all-sports; Regis will take the stage

Charlotte-based hub will produce motorsports for Fox Sports 1

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/03/06/3895085/speed-channel-to-become-all-sports.html#storylink=rss#storylink=cpy

Charlotte-based Speed channel will roll away this summer and Regis will take the stage.

Fox Networks announced Tuesday that Speed, the all-motorsports network dating to 1995, will be replaced on the cable dial by a new venture, Fox Sports 1, which will take it into competition with ESPN’s stable of sports channels.

NASCAR and other motorsports will continueto be carried on the channel, but the network will broaden content to other sports and add a 5 p.m. weekday panel show, “Rush Hour,” originating from New York and hosted by Regis Philbin.

Fox Sports Media Group executives said the new network will debut Aug. 17. Among other sports heading to the channel are collegiate basketball and football, and pro boxing and soccer.

Speed channel steers into all-sports