The Ellis County Press: Golden Gloves Champ comes from Waxahachie

Golden Gloves Champ comes from Waxahachie
================================================================================
Editor on 03/18/2010 14:11:00


CORY O'CONNOR
The Ellis County Press
Waxahachie - The state wide boxing tournament known as the Golden Gloves
Competition started Wednesday, March 3 ended Saturday, March 5.
Among the 270 different teams competing this year was Big E's Rock Solid Boxing
Team from Waxahachie, run by none other than Earnest Smith "Big E" Wade Ford
himself.
Along with the assistance of Tony Lopez and Ms. Debbie, Big E helps run and
manage an amazing boxing program meant to keep the youth of this area off the
streets and to give them something to focus their energy on as well as a renewed
hope for a future.
This year three fighters of the Rock Solid Boxing Team competed, two of them
placing first and second in their designated weight divisions.
Robert Diaz, 14, placed first in the 154 pound, age 13 - 14 division, by winning
four consecutive fights by decision.
Diaz's parents agreed at first they were skeptical about young Robert getting
into boxing at the age of 13, however ,when they saw how determined and
dedicated he became with competing, as well as the excellent training he was
receiving, there is no reason why he cannot become a pro boxer one day.
Also in the 152-pound division, boxer Wesley Lacey, 17, placed second, winning
two out of three fights, bringing another proud victory to the boxing team.
The last competitor who fought in the Golden Gloves this year was 22-year-old,
220 pound Bryan Bostwick, from Midlothian, who only began boxing for Rock Solid
six months ago.
Bostwick claims he discovered his love for physical competition while wrestling
in high school, and although he lost a decision in this tournament, he feels
this is just the beginning his career.
Despite the relatively small size of the Big E's Rock Solid Boxing Team, they
make up for it with a large heart and an unwavering will to win.
This was the boxing teams fifth Golden Gloves tournament to both compete and
place in and they plan on several more to come.