Growing up watching boxing with his dad, 14-year-old Dwight Lee dreams of some day becoming a legendary boxer himself.
Lee represented McComb’s ABC Boxing Club last weekend in Pearl Boxing Club’s amateur card and won his 137-pound match over the Hands of Stone Boxing Club representative. With the victory, Lee improved to 6-1 overall.
“It felt great to win my match and bring a trophy back to the ABC Boxing Gym,” Lee said. “My opponent was bigger than me, so that made the win that much better.”
A ninth-grader at McComb High School, Lee has trained with ABC Boxing Club trainer Andre Rials for the last three years. He said discipline and hard work are two things that boxing has taught him.
“I think as a boxer, my left hook and right hand are my bread and butter in the ring,” Lee said. “I am getting better on everything, but my speed and just staying disciplined in and out of the ring are what I always try to improve.”
Lee’s parents, Dwight Lee Sr. and Saprina Lee, agree with their son’s assessment.
“I remember years ago we were talking about (former heavyweight champion) Muhammad Ali. That got Dwight interested in becoming a boxer himself. We met Andre not long after, and Dwight knew he wanted to start working out,” Lee Sr. said. “Boxing has really been a positive thing for my son. It has taught him discipline and he has become a better kid. We support him 100 percent.”
Rials said he has high hopes for his young boxer.
“Dwight is such a good kid. He does everything we ask him to in the gym,” Rials said. “I see many great things for him. He has the potential to be a really good boxer. If he will continue to train hard and stay disciplined, he will only get better.”
Lee is one of nine boxers in the McComb area who work out daily with Rials. His favorite professional boxer is former light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr. Lee said he tries to mirror Jones’ boxing style.
“I used to play football, but once I started boxing, getting better in the ring and out is what I focus on daily,” said Lee.
ABC Boxing Club plans to participate in an amateur show in Kenner, La., this weekend.
ABC Boxing Club’s gym is located at 1010 12th St. Rials can be contacted at (601) 248-2884.
There is no fee to join the boxing club, but parents must register their children with Golden Gloves of America.
