Meridian hosts big boxing card
By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Nov. 14, 2003
David McNeil will be a busy man Saturday night at the Frank Cochran Center in Meridian's Highland Park.
The boxing trainer will be constantly on the move throughout the night, as he works the corners of numerous boxers on the seven-bout card at the Night of the Champions.
"It is tough on me because most of these are my guys, I have a gym," said McNeil, whose sons Brad and Clint will be participating in the night's events. "I will have may hands full to say the least. You can get a little on edge working one's corner and going to the next. I will get through it."
Of the 14 scheduled boxers to fight an eighth bout may be added to the card three of the boxers have belts.
Brad McNeil is the Southeastern middleweight champion, Clint McNeil is the Midsouth junior middle champion and Kenny Craven is the Midsouth heavyweight champion.
"It is unusual to have that many local guys out of a local gym be champions," McNeil said.
Along with being able to bring boxing to area fans, McNeil said he tries to keep the night affordable.
Thirty ringside seats are available for $22, general admission is $15, children ages 9-12 will cost $5, under-9 are admitted free, VIP tables cost $150 and ringside tables go for $200. Individual seating at ringside tables is $25 and $18 for VIP.
"We try to cater to families," McNeil said. "We try to make it affordable for a family to go. I think it is a good card, and it gives people a chance to watch these fellows as they try to make their way up the professional ranks."
The night's fights will also feature a pair of debuts in the squared circle.
Josh Matthews of Meridian and Mike Carlisle will square of for the first time in a professional fight at the Night of the Champions.
"It is going to be a real good fight," McNeil said. "It won't be real polished boxing, but it is going to be a slugfest."
Also making a first-time appearance is Dana Kendrick of Hattiesburg.
The female boxer will get between the ropes for the first time when she takes on Marla Robertson in the women's flyweight match.
"Dana is a real lovely young lady," McNeil said. "She is a real athlete, who runs six miles a day. She loves boxing and is very dedicated."
McNeil said he expects a near sell-out crowd of around 1,000 people for the evening's event.
"I like this because it is local guys, it is the guy down the street or the guy who works around the block," McNeil said. "It is people you see every day. I think that is neat. I think it has been built up enough around here that people enjoy it."
