| 27 April 2010
Since 1998 the Oak Cliff Boxing Gym has been one of the most revered institutions in the Dallas boxing scene. Situated in the heart of the Oak Cliff district of southern Dallas in an area rife with the trappings and despair common to economically distraught areas. But in light of the plight that surrounded it Oak Cliff Boxing Club’s Greg Hatley always had a vision of giving the youth of the area an alternative to the trappings of the streets. In many ways the Oak Cliff Boxing Club continues to accomplish its objective and the side effect of its cultivating of some legitimate boxing talent.
Enter Oak Cliff Boxing’s most ballyhooed fighter Charles Hatley. The son of the gym’s founder and head Coach Greg Hatley, Charles’ talent in the fistic arts was undeniable and evident early in the young pug’s amateur career. Amassing an incredible amateur record of 250-12, Hatley would dominate on the amateur lever winning numerous titles including the 2007 USAB National Championship, a 2007 Golden Gloves World Championship, as well as becoming a 2008 US Olympic alterative.
To date Hatley has continued to awe and inspire as a professional middleweight prospect. With an unblemished record of 10-0, with nine victories coming by way of knockout, Hatley has quickly become one of North Texas’s most respected and touted prospects. Watching Hatley in the ring is akin to watching controlled furry unleashed upon a helpless victim. While Hatley is still getting his feet wet in the paid ranks, fighting opponents nowhere near his level of talent, the manner in which he is dismantling them is indicative of his level of skill and power in the ring. As a result of Hatley’s dominance, his promoter Black Gloves Promotions is finding it increasingly difficult to get willing bodies into the ring to fight him.
Hatley may very well be one of the greatest boxers to come from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Admittedly, Hatley has fought no one of real note save for the always tough Eloy Suarez of San Antonio whom Hatley barreled over in one round this past July. But at this stage of his career Hatley is supposed to be fighting “safe” fights which are becomingly increasingly difficult with the lack of opponents willing to face him. Still, through it all Hatley seems to take it all in stride. He understands that in order to progress his career and land fights he is going to have to take on stiff opposition with fighters far more experienced in the pro ranks than he. But in spite of it all Hatley keeps a smile on his face and his eyes on the prize. The “prize” in question is a world championship belt. Most fight heads agree that Hatley has all the makings of a world champion. Speed, power, intelligence, Hatley is an intoxicating blend of all three attributes and reason why he is wildly considered one of the best, if not the best , prospect currently fighting in North Texas.
This Friday night, Hatley takes a big step forward in realizing his champion aspirations when he takes on Marcos Primera for the Texas state junior middleweight title. While some may scoff at the desire of fighting for a title that many would considered insignificant, in Texas, a state title holds weight. Fighters fight for pride and money, what better way to bask in the former than to be considered the best in your state at that weight class. This title fight promises to be exciting, as exciting is the only way that Hatley knows how to fight.
Fight Card Info
Black Gloves Promotions Presents: Texas Title Fights
Friday, April 30
The Palladium at Gilley's (1135 S. Lamar, Dallas, TX)
Fights Start at 7:00 PM
Tickets: www.blackglovespromotions.com
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
