CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In the midst of spring, when the idiom “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” flows perfectly, a host of honorees were inducted into the Carolina Boxing Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony began on April 26th and was attended by over 60 guests, all dressed in their finest to honor this incredible group of men.
Like any banquet, there were vendors selling snacks and merchandise for this memorable event, but what made this banquet special were the stories of victory told by hard-working boxers who were also military veterans, especially several who made a huge impact in their communities, including Robert Frazier, Kevin Bryant, Billy Mitchem, Lamar Parks and Paul Marinaccio.
The Floyd Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Mike Bivens for his phenomenal achievements, while the Boxing Contributor Award was presented to Mark D. Stossel, introduced by his predecessor Nathaniel Finch.
As Stossell took the stage, the story of his journey unfolded before the audience's eyes, and the room erupted in tears, applause and war songs as he accepted his award and told his story.
Stossel's boxing experience began as an Army soldier stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. As a soldier, he trained and competed under the tutelage of Chris Hippopoulos at the Memorial Youth Center near the University of Southern California campus.
After serving a few years at Fort Jackson, Stossel attended airborne school and was assigned to Fort Liberty, the largest military base in the world, formerly known as Fort Bragg.
While at Fort Liberty, Stossell was mentored by Hank Johnson and appointed as the medic and trainer for the boxing team, where his skill and dedication sparked success and introduced him to some important and influential people along the way, including coaches such as James Grant, Al Smith and Anthony Bradley.
These small victories are pieces of the puzzle that is Stossell's legacy. They were evident in the dignity he displayed as he approached the podium to accept his award. They were evident in the inflection and emotion in his voice as he spoke about his journey, which included a colliding moment of past and present as he paid tribute to the boxing community from his glory days to traveling with his daughter, Rachel.
“She's my biggest supporter,” Stossell said.
Then his boxing buddies turned to see Stossell's teary-eyed daughter standing there smiling at her father. The crowd got to see a beautiful contrast between one man, the people who influenced him and the success it all combined to create.
As the saying goes, the road is never straight, and for Stossel this proved to be true. Before his daughter's support and influence, Stossel found himself at a crossroads after graduating with his bachelor's degree. The bittersweetness of graduation and a promotion into the military would have meant the end of competitive boxing.
However, it was Hank Johnson who inspired Stossel to change direction and pursue a career in boxing. He suggested Stossel become a referee for the United States Boxing Association. With an eye for the art of boxing and a passion to stay active in the boxing world, Stossel refereed over 500 amateur and professional bouts in Fort Liberty and other states across the country from 1986 to 2002.
Stossel's officiating skills didn't end with boxing: he also represented Fort Liberty in lacrosse and ice hockey, including inter-military and international level matches.
His military career has allowed him to travel to many countries, and he has fond memories of emceeing the annual Cherry Blossom Festival at Camp Zama in Japan.
The accolades Stossell has received, both in the ring and on the field, speak to his dedication, skill and perseverance, and his continuing honors are recognized as he tells the story of his journey.
That dedication, skill and perseverance is exemplified in his deep friendship with Nathaniel “Nate” Finch, who runs a boxing league in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
And that honor was also reflected in his respect and love for the sport of boxing itself: There was a certain je ne se quois in the way Stossell spoke and the way he held the big red boxing gloves that were passed around for all inductees to sign.
It was in this environment that he proved to be his true home — an auditorium filled with friends and family rooting for the art of boxing. His dedication to the gloves and the ring combined with the brotherhood that veterans share, it's easy to look at Stossel and believe he's a man who's found his calling.
Congratulations to Mark D. Stoessel, the 2024 Boxing Contributor of the Year.
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