Baltimore, MD (August 28, 2013) – It’s not everyday that a student just days into their second year of high school has to get ready for homecoming, let alone one where all eyes are focused on them.
Most high schoolers don’t carry the expectations of Joey “Bazooka” Veazey.
Veazey, a 140 pound sensation, already captured numerous boxing championships and sparred regularly with noteworthy professionals. The Northeast High School sophomore spent a good amount of his early childhood around boxing gyms shadowing his father, a former trainer. Infatuated with the sport from an early age, he competed in his first match at seven and dominated ever since. Veazey became a six-time local Silver Gloves titlist, two-time regional titlist, one-time National Silver Gloves winner and 2009 Ringside World champion.
On Saturday evening, Veazey headlines Jake “The Snake” Smith’s Baltimore Boxing Promotions’ “Hard Knock Life” fight card at the William Myers Pavilion in Baltimore; the same arena he ran by countless times.
“This place is almost literally in the backyard of my old house and I love it,” Veazey said about topping a fight card at the William Myers Pavilion. “This is a great venue and I think Jake Smith did an excellent job by bringing a card there. I’ll have a lot of support and that makes me fight harder.”
Smith, a former fighter who now trains and promotes fighters, is equally excited about hosting the event.
“Joey is a great kid with huge fan base,” said the DC and Maryland Boxing Hall of Famer. “He’s got a great head on his shoulders and you’d never know all that he’s accomplished. It’s an honor to have him train at my gym, the Baltimore Boxing Club, because he sets a great example of how a fighter should conduct themselves in and out of the ring. Along with the large group of people coming to support him, I’m looking forward to seeing Joey do what he does best. Win.”
Bleacher tickets starting at $15 are available by calling 410-375-9175. In addition, floor seats are $35, individual VIP seats are available for $50, VIP mini tables of 4 at $200, reserved tables of 10 for $350 and first row VIP tables priced at $500 are currently on sale.
2013 Golden Gloves Champion and former Oklahoma State wrestling star Jerome Featherstone Jr. will have a stiff test when he meets former champion Kevin Ottley, who fights out of Mack Lewis’ Boxing Gym. Featherstone, a legend at Boys Latin HS who begun boxing less than two years ago, captured the 165 pound Golden Gloves regional title earlier this year, outpointing the best talent from Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia and the Marines.
Popular Baltimore Boxing Club heavyweight Sam Crossed will also appear in a special attraction bout against Darnell Daniel of Washington, DC.
The card also features eight additional bouts between fighters from Maryland, DC and Pennsylvania.
Doors open at 6:30 pm and the opening bell will sound at 8:15. All bouts are scheduled by USA Boxing.
“Hard Knock Life” is also being held in honor Jake’s father Murray Smith Sr. Smith Sr., who sadly lost his battle with cancer on July 12, was a well known member of the community. To honor Murray, who supported the many hats his son’s worn in boxing, Jake’s holding a 50/50 raffle along with a silent auction. All proceeds are going towards the Baltimore Boxing amateur program, a non-profit which rescued many local youths from the tough Charm City streets and helped develop them into boxers.
For more information, go to Baltimoreboxing.com
