1/02/06 - article by Keith Terceira
Small Boxing Club with Hall of Fame Supporters.
Fort Smith Boxing Association announces 2006 Honorary Board Members
Arkansas' Fort Smith Boxing Assn. located at 2515 Midland Ave, at the Merit Gym has gotten a
big boost of support from the boxing community. In November of this year it elected as president
boxing writer, and historian Keith Terceira who also coaches and functions as the Mid-South
Representative for the Retired Boxers Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists
fighters when they leave the sport.
Honorary members announced are Emanuel Steward, Alex Ramos, Howie Albert, "Baby" Joe and Jack
Mesi, Murad Muhammad, and Scott Pemberton.
Board Member Bob Lauderdale who has run the program for the better part of two decades is
pleased with the boards choice.
"Keith brought what we needed most, someone to put in the time and enthusiasm to our club,
now he has collected friends to help him raise our profile in the boxing community and help
us grow so we can reach more youth in the Fort Smith area. This is such a great thing for us
and boxing in the River Valley."
"One day instead of sitting at home, I recalled all my coaches and felt the need to give back
to the sport that I love, I didn't do anything more than what volunteers do in any non-profit
all across this state, so I called some friends for help, advise, and support." Mr. Terceira
replied when contacted. " I saw what great people Kenneth Matthews, Steve Matthews, Don Pack,
Bob, Ben Daily and Dr. Billy Criswell (FSBA Executive Officers) were and thought this was a
program that I wanted to be a part of. I'm just blessed to have great friends in the sport
of boxing."
"Unbelievably super people are in this sport. First local promoter Stacy Goodson donated a pair
of gloves that two-time champion Michael Moorer and local undefeated prospect J.D. Chapman signed,
then Yusef Mack the USBA Champion sent a pair of signed gloves, Marshall Kauffman who is the
father of Travis Kauffman, a great guy and future champion have sent gloves to help us raise
much needed funds for gear and equipment, then it just took a life of it's own, I feel so
blessed for knowing such great people."
The first to lend his support to Fort Smith Boxing was legendary Hall of Fame trainer and HBO
commentator Emanuel Steward who was the 1963 National Golden Gloves Champion.
" Amateur boxing daily gives a creative outlet for youth world wide and I am proud to be on this board.
I was honored when Keith asked me. "
Also serving is President and Founder of the Retired Boxers Foundation Alex "The Bronx
Bomber" Ramos who as an amateur was the 1979 USA Champion and a member of the 1980 Olympic
Team that boycotted the Moscow Games on orders of President Jimmy Carter. Time New York
Golden Gloves Champion (1977, 78, 79, 80) , also National Golden Gloves Champ, National
Junior Olympics Champion, National PAL (Police Athletic League) Champion, Silver Gloves
Champ and Empire State Champion , Ramos went on to become the USBA Middleweight Champion
and the number one ranked contender.
" I am proud to do this without a doubt, I'm am returning the support that Keith has shown for
our organization."
Hall of Fame trainer and cut man, Howie Albert who worked with Emile Griffith, Mohammad Ali,
and George Foreman to name just a few of the 68 fighters he worked with also has joined the board.
" Boxing is nothing without amateur programs and if lending my support helps keep it going,
then I'm in. Volunteers run amateur boxing and you have some great ones .in Fort Smith "
Undefeated heavyweight contender "Baby" Joe Mesi and his father Jack Mesi join the list of
supporter and included a signed set of gloves for auction later in the year at a planned
fundraiser. Mesi recently won a court battle to remove him from suspension in Nevada top
be able to return to the ring and plans to box again soon.
"I interviewed Joe last week and knew that he travels to Tulsa often to visit with his close
friend Promoter Tony Holden and took a shot at asking him. To my surprise both he and Jack
Mesi were happy to lend a hand and the gloves that were on them." Terceira joked. "All you
see at times about boxing is the negative, then something like this happens and you wonder
if all the bad press isn't just to sell something to the public."
Promoter Murad Mohammad who functioned as Mohammad Ali's personal security and broke barrier's
by becoming the first African-American to be given a promoters license in New Jersey as well
as the first to bring HBO into boxing had a simple answer when asked .
"I'd be honored"
Scott Pemberton who is from Mr. Terceira's former hometown was a two-time NABF super
middleweight champion with two successful defenses, the former NABO super middleweight
champion, one successful defense and former New England super middleweight champion,
with one successful defense and who recently lost to Jeff Lacy for the world title,
rounds off those announced to date.
" Scottie Pemberton is a class act and will always be a champion. It's great to have these
friends a phone call away to help me coach and be mentors to our members. God knew we needed
this assistance and he provides always."
"My dream is to make this boxing club a premier organization and reach out to more and more
of Ft Smith's young people. We want to show the parents in the area that boxing is a sport
that instills dedication, strength and confidence. It is safer than many other sports at
the amateur level including football. The big difference is that in boxing you can go
to the Olympics if you are good enough and work hard, travel internationally and represent
this great country. But good grades, good sportsmanship, and proper behavior is what we
stress here as well. Our dream is to have a place that young men and women can go after
school that's safe and controlled." Terceira added in closing.
Fort Smith Boxing Association Gym is open between 5:30 and 8:30 Monday - Friday and interested
parties can contact them at 479-208-2039. FSBA is a nonprofit c503 organization and donations
of equipment and funds are tax-deductible, and much needed.
KTerceira@aol.com
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