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WHITFIELD TO ACCEPT AWARD!
By Tom Moraetes
October 14, 2002
Rayonta Whitfield of the Augusta Boxing
Club, USA Boxing's current #1 ranked 106 lbs., leaves this Thursday,
October 17, 2002, for Spokane, Washington (USA Boxing National Convention)
to receive his award from USA Boxing for the "Michael Nunnally"
award presented to the one boxer a year that displays tremendous positive
character traits both inside and outside the ring, it is without a doubt
the most coveted award USA awards its athletes and is a parallel type
award of Football's "Heinsman" award trophy.
Ray was nominated for the award by a number
of area and National persons to include, State Senator Don Cheks, Augusta
Recreation Department director Tom Beck, Augusta Physician Bob Gambrell,
Georgia Amateur Boxing President Buddy Davis and wife Barbara of Atlanta,
Evander Holyfield of Atlanta, Jeremy Phillips, National Police Athletic
League tournament coordinator of Palm Beach, Florida, National Official
from Maryland Steve Greber in addition to numerous other national boxing
persons.
Ray is a graduate of Crosscreek High in
2000 and resides with his mother Mrs. Sabrina Morgan in Augusta. It is
ironic that Ray leaves this Thursday for the award as that is the exact
day that the construction/repair of his house, which burned down several
months ago and in which Ray was instrumental in saving his brothers and
sisters at the risk of losing of his own life, will be completed.
Ray and his family have been staying with
relatives since the fire, Ray works part time for the Augusta Recreation
Department working with young "future" champs in the boxing Club
on Walton way. He is the "Team Captain" for the club and in
addition to his work with the Rec dept., Ray volunteers several other
hours per week with kids in the program assisting with developing life
skills for the children.
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