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Clinton Phifer and trainer Neely Owens go the distance

WKMS
Published July 30, 2010 at 11:12 AM CDT
Clinton Phifer works out at the Atkins Porter Gym in Paris, Tenn. He's a three-time national champion and won the Ringside World Championship in 2009. He returns to Ringside August 2 with four other athletes from the Henry County Boxing Club.
Clinton Phifer works out at the Atkins Porter Gym in Paris, Tenn. He's a three-time national champion and won the Ringside World Championship in 2009. He returns to Ringside August 2 with four other athletes from the Henry County Boxing Club.

By Jacque Day

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-915790.mp3

Paris, Tenn. – Paris, Tennessee's seventeen-year-old national amateur boxing champion Clinton Phifer stands poised to take on the global arena at the Ringside World Championships in Kansas City next week. A success in that tournament could put him one step closer to qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team. It would also increase his visibility for a valuable college scholarship. But a lack of funding might have taken it all away. Jacque Day brings us the story of a young champion and a trainer who refuses to throw in the towel.

In the last three years, the Henry County Boxing Club has produced nine national championship titles. The club has struggled to survive for two years without grant funding. Donations can be made through a special account at Security Bank & Trust in Paris.