Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees Announced at Bojangles' Coliseum Press Conference

This past Thursday, in the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame display room at the Bojangles' Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, representatives of the Hall held a press conference to announce its 2013 inductees. It was mostly Board Member Humpy Wheeler who addressed a gathering that included a number of big names in the world of South and North Carolina Boxing. In attendance were former world heavyweight champion James “Bonecrusher” Smith, former prizefighters and current boxing promoters Krishna Wainright and Kevin Lowther, chairman of United States Amateur Boxing Inc. and 2013 Hall of Fame inductee Clarence Flemings, president of USA Boxing Southeast Region Coach Al Simpson, and a number of representatives speaking for inductees unable to attend, but whom are expected to be at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on April 19.

The 2013 Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame inductees were named as follows:

Calvin Brock, former professional heavyweight boxer from Charlotte, North Carolina. Brock (31-2) fought Wladimir Klitschko in Madison Square Garden in 2006 and retired from the sport because of an eye injury in 2007 after a split decision loss to Eddie Chambers. Klitschko and Chambers were his only two losses.

Robbie Epps, who was born in Greenville, South Carolina and fought during the 70’s and 80’s. Epps retired in 1983 with a professional record of 31-4 (with 3 of the 4 losses coming in his final 4 bouts).

Clarence Flemings of Fayetteville, North Carolina. Chairman of United States Amateur Boxing Inc., amateur boxing coach, and amateur boxing official.

Brandon Mitchem. Fought professionally from 1996-2007. Grew up in Lincolnton, North Carolina where his father, Randy Mitchem, a former professional boxer during the 1980s and a 2011 Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame inductee, began teaching his son how to spar in the basement of their home when Brandon Mitchem was just 6 years old. As an amateur, Mitchem won the 1996 National Golden Gloves and earned a spot as Olympic alternate, losing the Box-Off match to Fernando Vargas. During his career he assisted as a sparring partner for such champions as Bernard Hopkins, Terry Norris, Kostya Tzyu, and William Joppy prior to big fights.

Also inducted were Jay Welch of Conover, North Carolina, an amateur boxer during the 1970s and Olympic hopeful, and Kim Welch.

The 2013 Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on April 19, 2013 at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel; 3315 Scott Futrell Dr, Charlotte, North Carolina (I-85 and Billy Graham Parkway). Additional details of the ceremony will be posted in “Upcoming North Carolina Boxing Events” section (at top of this blog site) when it becomes available.

The ceremony will also include a tribute in the memory of Billy Joe Sharpe of Lexington, South Carolina who passed away at age 68 in December 2011. Billy Joe Sharpe had served as president of South Carolina USA Boxing for 17 years.

(Click any picture to enlarge)

With Krishna Wainright of Join the Fight Productions

At the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame display in Bojangles' Coliseum

With former heavyweight champion, James "Bonecrusher" Smith

Additional photos of the press conference can be seen on the Facebook site for photographer John Davidson: CLICK HERE (Note: you will need to be signed into a Facebook account to view the photos).