Wilson boxing trainer Leroy Gray hopes the azaleas won't be the only ones blooming in Wilmington next weekend.
Wilson resident Brandon Mendez, 21, has been training with Gray at Hardcore Boxing Gym in Five Points for most of the past year, and Gray is in his first real test in the ring. I hope it's ready to bloom. The 147-pound welterweight will compete at the North Carolina Azalea Festival Boxing Tournament on April 6 and 7 at the Wilmington Convention Center (other than the numerous sparring sessions he has). ) made his amateur debut.
“This is a great tournament for him,” Gray declared of the U.S. Boxing-sanctioned event, which began in 1978.
The tournament will feature age divisions from 8-16 and 17-34, as well as six divisions 35 and older, and is expected to feature fighters from multiple states. It is played in standard amateur format with three three-minute rounds. Gray said Mendez will likely fight three times if he wins his first fight Saturday.
Gray, a veteran trainer with years of experience, believes Mendes, who has been training for the past 10 months, has what it takes to succeed in the ring. The 2021 Fike High School graduate was introduced to Gray by his good friend Jalen Barnes, who previously trained under Gray.
“Well, I love it,” Mendez said. “My grandfather was a boxer back in the '60s or so. So I always wanted to be a boxer ever since I was a kid. And to get a little money and put myself out there. Once I did that, I realized I really liked it.”
Gray said Mendez has sparred with numerous experienced and even professional fighters.
“He's been here with some of the best players. He's ready for anything,” Gray said, adding that he has no intention of rushing Mendez's career. But fans can expect a good show from Mendes when he gets in the ring.
“He's a really aggressive boxer, I'll tell you that,” Gray said. “His last name says it all. He comes from a long line of Mexican boxers. He's really aggressive, he uses a lot of jabs, he always attacks his opponent with his right hand and knows how to attack the body. I know. And his biggest weapon is the uppercut and the hook comeback. But he can also box. He can sit back and box you. I trained him I got it.”
Mendes may be aggressive in the ring, but so far he's been humble outside of it. The young fighter said he is not looking forward to Saturday's ring debut.
“Well, I don't have high expectations, but I've been training and I'm the only one training here, so I hope I can give all the glory to God,” he said. Ta. “But if we win, I don’t know what will happen, to be honest.”
One thing he will do is fight again.
