The current WBC and IBF World Champion in the welterweight division, VERNON
FORREST, came up from Colorado Springs, Colorado.CHAMPIONS...IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
by Stephen s. Johnson
(Click on pictures for larger view)
DENVER, CO (IB-December 7, 2002) On a Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. when most people are planning their weekend activities, a group of professional boxers decided to instead entertain youngsters at the 2002 FUNDAMENTAL FUN, INC. free boxing clinic.
This was no ordinary group of boxers. These are fighters that have the title WORLD CHAMPION associated with their names.
The current WBC and IBF World Champion in the welterweight division, VERNON
FORREST, came up from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Vernon is training for a title bout on January 25, 2003 against the WBA welterweight titleholder, Ricardo Mayorga. Vernon will then be the Undisputed Champion of the World in the welterweight division.
Along with Vernon were his trainers Ronnie Shields and Al Mitchell.
Coordinator Charles Watson was the driving force in getting "Team
Forrest" to Denver for the clinic along with INSIDE BOXING writer Ron
Brashear.
Aurora, Colorado resident Davarryl Williamson, ranked #27 in the world and INSIDE BOXING champion in the heavyweight division was present and handled the duties of master of ceremonies.
Davarryl is currently training for a bout in early January that will enhance his rise in the heavyweight division.
J.C.
Candelo, ranked #7 by the IBF in the junior middleweight division will
fight Angel Hernandez December 13th on ESPN2. His stock will no doubt rise with
his victory over Hernandez.
Aaron Steadman, the INSIDE BOXING Mid-West Regional welterweight champion and Donald Camarena, INSIDE BOXING lightweight youth champion rounded out the boxers present to help conduct the clinic.
Denver's own STEVIE JOHNSTON, himself currently ranked as the #3 contender in the world in the lightweight division, made a special appearance to the delight of all in attendance. Stevie conducted the very first FUNDAMENTAL FUN, INC. boxing clinic way back in 1993.
FUNDAMENTAL FUN, INC. provides sport clinics for 1st thru 5th grade boys and girls in the Denver metro area and has done so for the past 12 years. Sports clinics include basketball, tennis and golf.
Area businesses sponsor the clinics that offer not only the fundamentals in sports, but the ideals and values associated with each sport.
This years sponsors were: PRINT SHOP PLUS (Tim Weiman), Sam Taylor's Bar-B-Q (Sam Taylor) and DON CARLOS MEXICAN GRILL (Marie Martinez). Many thanks and appreciation goes out to them.
After introducing the boxers to the clinic participants, Davarryl Williamson started the elementary aged boys and girls off with stretching exercises that progressed into a full-scale boxing participatory demonstration.
Each participant displayed their own learned technique in the proper way to stand, throw a punch and block a punch as taught by Davarryl Williamson.
Vernon Forrest, J.C. Candelo, Stevie Johnston, Donald Camarena and Aaron Steadman kept a watchful eye on Davarryl to make sure he had the clinic participants "doing the right thing".
Davarryl and the guys may have done too good a job as several punches thrown by clinic participants were seen as near perfect. As the near exhausted boys and girls returned to their seats, all the boxers prepared for a question and answer period.
The questions asked were thought provoking as each fighter took his own time in stressing the importance of believing in yourself, maintaining a positive attitude and never saying "I can't do it".
VERNON FORREST took extra time to stress the importance of being a student athlete and displaying patience. Vernon explained it has taken him some 20 years to get to where he is today.
J.C. CANDELO expressed the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol. Staying in school takes a back seat to nothing as far as J.C. is concerned.
AARON STEADMAN, who came down from Evergreen, Colorado, talked of dedication to whatever challenges one took on. Aaron feels education is a must.
DONALD CAMARENA spoke of the importance of treating each other as human beings and remaining a good person. Feeling good about yourself is crucial in the eyes of Donald.
DAVARRYL WILLIAMSON let the youngsters know nothing in life comes easy. Hard work is the only way success can be achieved. Davarryl says work hard, stay in school, away from drugs and alcohol and you will be successful.
Following these words of wisdom, all clinic participants were invited to partake in lunch provided by DON CARLOS MEXICAN GRILL. Exhaustion prevented none of the 1st thru 5th graders from enjoying the delicious lunch.
Special thanks: VERNON FORREST, DONALD CAMARENA, J.C. CANDELO, AARON STEADMAN and STEVIE JOHNSTON for delighting all the parents and clinic participants with their expertise and words of wisdom.
Ronnie Shields, Al Mitchell and Charles Watson for changing their Saturday training schedule to accomodate the clinic time frame. These guys are "class acts".
Heartfelt thanks: DAVARRYL WILLIAMSON for helping conduct and coordinate the boxing clinic. Davarryl is one of the true special people in the sport of professional boxing.
FUNDAMENTAL FUN, INC. was proud to have these World Champions conduct the 2002 Boxing Clinic.
Best of luck both inside and outside the boxing ring to all of them.