Boxing community backs Olympian

Russell's presence in Beijing sparks interest in the sport at home

Russell's parents, Gary Sr. and Lawan, will be ringside in Beijing. But joining them in spirit will be Prince George's County's extensive amateur boxing community. Whether he wins a medal or not, Russell's mere presence at the Olympics could have a far-reaching impact on area boxing.

"I think it's a lot of intrigue," said Potomac Valley Association Director of Boxing Daveida Jacobs. "Even if Gary doesn't medal, he's a winner in the hearts of everyone back home."

Jacobs' family has a link to Olympic boxing that remains unforgettable in the minds of those who lived in the county in the mid-1970s. Jacobs' father, David Jacobs, trained Palmer Park native Sugar Ray Leonard, who won the gold medal at 141 pounds in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Leonard would go on to win world titles in five different weight classes as a professional, cementing his status as a boxing legend.

David Jacobs vividly remembers returning home after the triumph and the immediate reaction of the fans.

"It was dynamite," he recalled. "When we hit Palmer Park off of the Beltway, they were lining up because they knew we were coming home. It felt so good coming home, because they blocked off Palmer Park. All of the news media was at the recreation center waiting for us. We came home to about 600 people."

Leonard's reception proved only the beginning, as boxing enjoyed a spike of popularity in the county, and with Russell in Beijing, another surge may be on the horizon.

"It's going to have a great impact, because only a very few in the country can get a spot on the Olympic team," said Hillcrest Boxing Director Vardell McCann, who has been around the sport for 50 years. "You get one in 11 spots [on the Olympic team], that's like one in a million. I think if any kid around here sees that, they will strive for something. When [Leonard] won, there were a lot of kids coming to the gym that probably had never fought before. I think if [Russell] wins, which I'm hoping and praying that he does, it will bring more kids together to come out to the gym."

Said David Jacobs, "In every gym in America, the kids were packing these gyms, from North to South. It was a great feeling because we had accomplished something. In the beginning, [recognition] wasn't what we were looking for. By the time we finished, the world wanted Ray Leonard. I hope that Gary can go ahead and win."

The U.S. has won two boxing gold medals in the last three Olympics. The road to becoming an elite amateur boxer is, indeed, very difficult. Just ask Largo native Dominic Wade.

A year ago, Wade fought alongside Russell at the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team Trials in Houston. Prior to that, he and Russell were slugging it out against other national competition in the U.S. Championships. Wade had his dream of making the Olympic team shattered when he was disqualified at the Olympic Trials and suffered his second loss in the double-elimination tournament.

One of the results of the loss is that Wade, only 18, has decided to turn pro rather than wait four years for another shot at the Olympics.

"It's kind of hard to get where you need to go," Wade said. "I was mad about the loss [at the Olympic trials]. We stopped training for a little while, but I just got right back into it. It didn't do nothing but make me stronger. You have to be real dedicated. I think [Gary] is pretty dedicated. I'm hoping he wins. If I were giving advice to a boxer just starting out, I would tell him, let your coach know what you're getting into it for, whether it is to be serious or want to just do it for fun. You can get hurt in fighting. If you're going to get in the ring, you've got to be the best you can be."

E-mail Terron Hampton at thampton@gazette.net.