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QUIET WEEK AT HBF AUDITIONS

Saturday 22 June 2002

In stark contrast to the situation in the International Boxing League, this past week's Heavyweight Boxing Federation auditions have been, with a handful of exceptions, less than fruitful.

* At Detroit's Van Andel Arena, a hard hitting 20 year-old local named Dre Linton has emerged as the pick of a limited bunch. Linton is an unusual individual, well-spoken but with a disturbing side to his personality that has been on display during audition bouts and also while interacting with others.

"Weird kid, that one," said HBF scout Mal Jackson. "Don't know if he's carrying a full pack, if you know what I mean. Still, he's got a right hand like a mule kick and once he lands it, people will take notice."

25 year-old Deutron Shelby hails from Cleveland and is a fighter in a similar mold to Linton. Though not as strong as the Detroit native, Shelby turned up to the auditions in excellent shape and wasn't shy about letting everyone know it. Shelby has an ego that would give both Riddick Bowe and Jack Johnson a run for their money and it will be interesting to see what kind of outlandish statements he comes up with in the future.

"We couldn't believe some of the stuff that was coming out of that guy's mouth," said Jackson. "Some of the most ridiculous statements you'd ever hear. How he was going to wipe the floor with Sonny Liston some day, about how he fears no one in the HBF, how no one can compare to him. He didn't mind letting us know how he's faired with the ladies, either. He's quite a character, but it's not all talk. The fella can fight and I think he'll pose quite a challenge."

* Further south at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Texas, the older brother of future IBL Middleweight competitor Terry Norris has earned himself a place in the federation's qualifying league with an enthusiastic, hard-working audition. 21 year-old Orlin Norris has shown toughness, ring smarts and reasonable punching power and was ecstatic when told the news that the HBF would be offering him a contract. Norris's brother came to the audition with him and has given Orlin a lot of encouragement along the way.

"My brother kinda pushed me into it," said Norris. "But I'm glad he did. I want to make something of my life and I feel that boxing is an avenue that can help me with that."

Weighing just 183 pounds, Norris has already intimated that he'll most likely make himself available for the federation's Junior-Heavyweight division when it comes into being in 2004.

"I can't see myself getting up over 190," he said. "I'm fitter than I've ever been right now and this is how I want to stay. I'm looking forward to the challenge of competing as a Heavyweight, but I'm pretty certain I'll be spending most of my career at Junior."

Arkansas native John Tate has impressed HBF scouts with his punching power and aggressiveness and has also been offered a spot in the qualifying league.

* Mauritanian-born Taoufik Belbouli has been the pick of the auditions at the Palais Des Sports in Cannes, France. The 28 year-old possesses impressive knockout power, toughness and aggression, qualities that will certainly be of benefit during the qualifying league tournament.

THE STRIBLINGS EXPLAIN THEMSELVES

Some five days since their uncharacteristic behaviour at the Staples Center in Los Angeles the parents of Young Stribling have finally broken their silence, with William Stribling divulging the reasons behind their actions during an interview on a Macon radio station.

"We've always taught our son to turn the other cheek," said Mr. Stribling. "I know that might sound strange seeing as he's a boxer, but I'm talking about real life situations, here. We've taught him not to react to the antagonisms of others, that if he does he's only giving his antagoniser more ammunition and has, in effect, giving his antagoniser exactly what he wants."

Stribling paused briefly before continuing.

"This is a message we've drilled into Young since he was only four years old. He knows it, but on Monday he forgot it. He reacted to words that Roland LaStarza said to him in a way that is completely contrary to what we've taught him. It's true that Mr. LaStarza's words concerned my wife and I, but that is no excuse. We were unhappy with Young's behaviour but to make matters worse, he allowed what happened in that hallway to detract from his performance when he stepped in the ring. My wife and I tried our hardest to get him to focus but he refused to listen to us. Everyone saw my wife Lucilla slap Young during the break between the fourth and fifth rounds. That was an expression of her frustration in Young's performance and his refusal to focus and follow our instructions. I don't think she needs to apologise for that. Young knows he deserved it and as far as we're concerned that's where the issue dies. As for our departing the ring after the verdict, that was our way of punishing Young for his behaviour on the night. Some people have read it as our family being "bad sports" or "poor losers". That could not be further from the truth. We know that our son was beaten by a better fighter on that night. Now, if the fight had taken place on another night, under different circumstances, the result would have likely been different. That is our belief and if that offends people, I'm sorry. But that is our belief. We aren't going to apologise for disciplining our son."

Mr. Stribling was not asked any follow-up questions by the interviewer, hardly surprising considering the reputation the family holds in the city. But it must be said that as far as HBF and the rest of the nation is concerned, William Stribling's statement creates more questions than it answers...