By Jacque Day
Paris, TN – Clinton Phifer of Paris, Tennessee and two other Henry County Boxing Club fighters are USA national champions. Phifer won his third championship over the weekend in Memphis. The 17-year-old heavyweight bested a 28-year-old ex-Marine in all three rounds. The win puts Phifer one step closer to qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team. Two other fighters, Frank Eppolito of Knoxville and Chris Edlin of McKenzie also won their respective divisions. Henry County Boxing Club Coach Neely Owens says the three boxers next go to the world amateur championships in Kansas City in August. Owens says the world championship is the most prestigious amateur title match in the world, and that 2011 is a crucial eligibility year for the 2012 Olympics.