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(continuation of post #68)
Amongst the other trialists to impress were Welterweight Roger Menetrey and another 17 year-old, Featherweight Eugene Criqui.
Menetrey is a hard-hitting, aggressive slugger who possesses a lethal left hook and solid stamina. Criqui shares a similar aggressive disposition, but will rely much more on his tactical skill and ability to accumulate points behind an excellent left jab.
"I'm very happy with the talent we've uncovered here," said North. "Our expectations have probably been exceeded, so we can't complain about that."
WASHINGTON NATIVE SHINES IN IDAHO
The International Boxing League were under no illusions in regards to how successful their Boise, Idaho selection trial would be. IBL Chief Director Douglas Moran and his staff arrived in "The City of Trees" knowing that their chances of finding the same kind of talent that they had left behind in Los Angeles would be slim. Even so, Moran would be the first to admit that the nine young men who were picked out from a field of some fifty trialists were worth the journey.
A pair of Portland natives did enough to convince the scouts that they will be more than capable of competing in the league's regional qualifying tournaments. 22 year-old Lightweight Ray Lampkin showed quick hands, some excellent boxing skills and a solid defense. Using impressive ring movement, he was able to outmanouver and outfox his opponents before tagging them with three and four punch combinations, often concluded by the use of a nasty right cross. Likewise, 18 year-old Middleweight Denny Moyer displayed a stiff left jab, an effective left hook and a textbook uppercut. While seriously lacking in the power department, his punching skill, stamina and sharp intellect will go a long way towards seeing him achieve success in the IBL.
"Those Portland fellas have got some real talent," said Moran. "But I would have to say that the one person who has really stood out for me has been that Washington kid, Freddie Steele. Damn, he can fight! He can box, he can slug, he's as fit as they come and he's got real knockout power in both hands. I tell ya, he's just 17 years old, but you wouldn't know it. He fights like he's been at it for ten years already. We actually put him in against Moyer, and it was all the Portland kid could do to stay on his feet. This Freddie Steele kid is going to be an absolute star. Everyone who's been following the IBL these last two months would know that our Middleweight division will just be stacked with talent. Well, Freddie Steele is just going to make it even tougher."
A home state Light-Heavyweight by the name of Harry Matthews gave the IBL scouts a taste of some serious punching power, but showed a tendancy to go out too hard. Perhaps he was trying too hard to impress the scouts, but at just 16 years of age, he might be a bit too raw to be thrown straight into the regional qualifiers.
"That Matthews kid has a ton of potential," Moran said. "But he needs someone to get in his ear and tell him that he doesn't need to knock every guy out in the first round. We think that by putting him in the Future Contenders series, it will give him time to learn more about the science of the sport. But don't doubt it, he has the potential to be a future World Champion."
The IBL's North American selection team will move on to Houston, Texas next week, where Moran believes they will continue to unearth more American boxing talent.
"What we've done these past two weeks is just the beginning," Moran said. "There's still a wealth of talent out there, just waiting to be discovered."
(Coming up: all the action from the selection trials in Brazil, Thailand and Zambia)
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