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Rumble Time Contest
Winner
Damiene Freeman
Winner
Damiene Freeman
Damiene Freeman
Jennings Junior High
Rubin Carter, better known as The Hurricane, was born and
raised in Patterson, New Jersey (Birthday May 6, 1937). Carter
was a middle weight boxer fighting all his bouts between
155lbs.-160lbs. Carter fought with an orthodox stance that won
him 27 of his career total 40 fights. The Hurricane went pro in
September 1961. Carter beat a number of formidable
contenders including: Florentino Fernandez, Holly Mims, Gomeo
Brennan and George Benton. The world of boxing took notice,
and in July 1963, Carter was listed in the top 10 middle weight
contenders in Ring Magazine.
Carter was incarcerated many times in his life for crimes such as
assault and robbery, which occurred shortly after his 14th
birthday.
Carter escaped from the juvenile facility he was imprisoned in
and joined the Army at age 17. However, the life of a soldier was
not for Carter and he was discharged after serving 21 months of
his 3 year enlistment for infractions such as being AWOL. After
being discharged Carter served 4 more years in New Jersey
state prison. His boxing career began shortly after this.
June 17, 1966, 2:30 a.m. set off a series of unfortunate events for
Carter. Two black males entered the Lafayette Bar and Grill and
opened fire on the bartender. Jim Oliver, and a male customer,
Fred Nauyoks were killed instantly. Hazel Tanis died a month
later after being shot in the throat,stomach,intestine,spleen,left
lung and her arm was shattered by a shotgun blast. Another
customer, Willie Marins survived a shot to the head. Willie gave a
getaway car description that matched Carters car. Carter was
sentenced to 3 life sentences. However, he served only 20 years
after supporters pushed for repeals and retrials, Finally he was
proven innocent.
Why is someone with such a bad background and tragic life story
my favorite boxer? It isn't because of his amazing boxing abilities
or his escapes from prison. It is because he never stopped trying
to make something of himself. Even though he spent time in
prison he recovered and became one of the greatest boxers of
all time. To me this sends a message, as a young black man in
the "hood", the message is that if you never give up and push
through the hardships you can be whoever you want to be. This is
what we should all strive for because life isn't a cake walk, it's
more like a fight in the ring.
Jennings Junior High
Rubin Carter, better known as The Hurricane, was born and
raised in Patterson, New Jersey (Birthday May 6, 1937). Carter
was a middle weight boxer fighting all his bouts between
155lbs.-160lbs. Carter fought with an orthodox stance that won
him 27 of his career total 40 fights. The Hurricane went pro in
September 1961. Carter beat a number of formidable
contenders including: Florentino Fernandez, Holly Mims, Gomeo
Brennan and George Benton. The world of boxing took notice,
and in July 1963, Carter was listed in the top 10 middle weight
contenders in Ring Magazine.
Carter was incarcerated many times in his life for crimes such as
assault and robbery, which occurred shortly after his 14th
birthday.
Carter escaped from the juvenile facility he was imprisoned in
and joined the Army at age 17. However, the life of a soldier was
not for Carter and he was discharged after serving 21 months of
his 3 year enlistment for infractions such as being AWOL. After
being discharged Carter served 4 more years in New Jersey
state prison. His boxing career began shortly after this.
June 17, 1966, 2:30 a.m. set off a series of unfortunate events for
Carter. Two black males entered the Lafayette Bar and Grill and
opened fire on the bartender. Jim Oliver, and a male customer,
Fred Nauyoks were killed instantly. Hazel Tanis died a month
later after being shot in the throat,stomach,intestine,spleen,left
lung and her arm was shattered by a shotgun blast. Another
customer, Willie Marins survived a shot to the head. Willie gave a
getaway car description that matched Carters car. Carter was
sentenced to 3 life sentences. However, he served only 20 years
after supporters pushed for repeals and retrials, Finally he was
proven innocent.
Why is someone with such a bad background and tragic life story
my favorite boxer? It isn't because of his amazing boxing abilities
or his escapes from prison. It is because he never stopped trying
to make something of himself. Even though he spent time in
prison he recovered and became one of the greatest boxers of
all time. To me this sends a message, as a young black man in
the "hood", the message is that if you never give up and push
through the hardships you can be whoever you want to be. This is
what we should all strive for because life isn't a cake walk, it's
more like a fight in the ring.