Last Saturday, I was fortunate to photograph my friend and neighbor, Charles Dattrell Matthews, or “D’ as he likes to be called, warm up and train. This is the start of a series of images following ‘D’ as he trains and improves his stamina for up and coming Golden Gloves-the amateur boxing competitions.
The first day I started shooting had me arriving at Mark’s house, a friend of D’s. After meeting his very excited Golden Retrievers, Mark, a very amiable guy showed me the back yard boxing ring. Once the ring was cleared of debris from all the recent wet weather, D started warming up for the training bouts that would follow. The following are a few of my favorites from the very quick one minute rounds as Philip, a local city councillor, hoping to compete in a local fund raiser, trained under Lou, a 20 year boxing veteran trainer. Detrell; Mark, Bob; an ex sheriff turned actor all took turns to train with Phillip. I was just exhausted photographing these guys go at it.
D starts the day sweeping up the gym. The recent rains had soaked the area with dirt and grime.
An old news clipping from August 2006 shows Detrrill knocking down his opponent in the first round
D warming up
Bob, counter punches in his training bout against city councillor, Phillip
Veteran boxing trainer, Lou overlooks training of quick one minute rounds
D takes aim at Phillip
Owner of the house and the back yard gym, Mark discusses Philip’s up and coming charity fight on Friday.
Dattrell, or D as he likes to be called and my next door neighbor gets down to the business of the day
Retired Sheriff, Bob overlooks the training
by Philip Thomas
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