Alex Beadle is working on bringing boxing to Conyers.

But he's not yet working in the gym, instead he's working in a what can at times be a tougher place, the Georgia State capital.

Beadle, the President/Executive Promoter of the Georgia Boxing Association, is also working as a lobbyist for the organization as it tries to get a bill passed.

The GBA also attempted to get the same bill passed during the last legislative session, but it died due to time constraints.

This year Beadle is at it again with more confidence after legislators have already seen the bill once before.

The bill will do three things for boxing in Georgia. It will clear up some language in the boxing code in the state, it will require fighters to take an HIV test and it will add the Georgia Boxing Association as the governing sanction body in the state of Georgia.

Beadle already has four signatures from state senators and was searching for more this week before the bill dropped into session. It was expected to drop before the start of this week.

Monday will be the 18th day of the 45 day legislative session, allowing more than 20 days for it to get passed.

"Now that it's a familiar bill they should b able to make a decision on it easier than last year,' Beadle said. "They know it now. They're familiar with it."

If the bill passes it will bring several benefits to Conyers.

The GBA is looking to make Conyers its headquarters and is currently shopping for buildings to house its gym. The gym will bring several boxers to the area and will make Conyers the state's center for amateur boxing.

If all goes as planned the grand opening will take place sometime around July 1.

"What it's going to do is enable us to actually start a league based out of Conyers for amateur fighters," Beadle said. "This bill is going to make Conyers the center of amateur boxing in the entire state of Georgia."

The GPA coming to Conyers will mean its non-profit wing the Fight Harder Foundation will follow.
The foundation pairs seniors with community youth to develop workouts for seniors and young person together in a mentoring process.

"That's where I think Rockdale is going to truly benefit," Beadle said. "The fight against childhood obesity and getting kids off the street."

The bill will also open up the possibility for state tournament for amateur boxing.

Along with working on the boxing side of things, the GBA will bring Mixed Martial Arts to Conyers whether or not the boxing bill gets passed. There have already been several fights in the Georgia International Horse Park, and Beadle will have a MMA television show based out of there starting in May.

"The Horse Park is going to be the home of our MMA show," Beadle said. "We plan on doing six, all to be televised as a reality TV show based out of Conyers."

Beadle was also asked to lobby for the Rockdale County Chamber of Commerce.