By Staff
HARD HITTER n Tim Edmonds (back) watches as his son Ty practices boxing against a life-size dummy in the attic of their home. Nine year-old Ty is undefeated in six amateur boxing matches. Photo by Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
Richard Dark/The Meridian Star
April 25, 2001
Former pro boxer Tim Edmonds of Meridian has paid his dues in the ring. Now he's ready to take on the youngsters.
Take them under his wing, that is.
Edmonds, who came up through the Meridian Boxing Club years ago, fought for some 15 years. Now that he is retired, he feels it's important for kids who want to learn to box, to start young.
Really young.
After the sound of the crowds and the ringside bell faded away, Tim's life-long dream of guiding a team of boxers to the Olympics came to the forefront.
That's why Edmonds has started the T&T Boxing Club. The title is sort of a play on his ring name. But Edmonds doesn't have a big gymnasium just yet.
Instead, he is working out area youngsters who are interested in the attic of his home.
His wife Yolanda, who is self-employed with Dream Furniture, is also very instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the outfit, helping out with coaching while handling the administrative portion. She is also a boxing judge, as well.
The couple have a potential punching dynamo in the making with their nine year-old son, Ty.
Ty is currently 6-0 in amateur boxing and dad Tim says that the toughest part is finding youths that will fight the little toughman.
Ty won a a three-round decision over Chris Moncivais of Laurel on March 31 to reach his current mark.
Up next for the young hard-hitting Ty is the Gulf States Tournament that will be held May 18. The three-day event will feature up and coming youths of all ages from Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida, as well as the Magnolia State.
The Edmonds' oldest son, Rashaad got out of boxing to pursue other sports, but Edmonds' nephew Albert, is breaking into the ranks as well, with his first fight slated for April 28 in Biloxi.
Edmonds said he believes boxing isn't that big here in Meridian at the present time, but he feels the sport will gain more and more popularity as the younger kids become interested.
Richard Dark is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. You can call him at 693-1551, ext. 3234 or e-mail him at rdark@themeridianstar.com.