The worlds of boxing and bikes don’t always go hand in hand, but on Sept. 24, these two will collide for a huge community event.
The Dungeon Boxing Gym and the Falcons Fury Harley Davidson are partnering together to host the “Best of Both Worlds” Bikes and Boxing Show at the Harley Davidson dealership in Conyers to raise money to help amateur boxers compete at the national level.
The all-day event will kick off at 10 a.m. with a joint jeep and motorcycle ride sponsored by the Georgia Sheriff’s association that benefits their programs to provide services to at-risk kids, followed by a bike competition that will feature cash prizes and commemorative souvenirs for the winners.
Throughout the day, Harley Davidson will have stunt shows with their Bare Knuckles Stunt Team, and at 2 p.m., Covington's Dungeon Boxing Gym will begin its professional and amateur boxing event, showcasing some of the top boxing talent in Georgia and on the East Coast.
The event will also feature hosting from V103 radio personality Buddy Love, live radio broadcasting on Streetz 94.5, food and live performances by family-friendly artists.
The Dungeon is owned by Carey Foster and his wife, Ebonita, with help from Gerald and Marcheryl Evans. Several members of the gym have been ranked nationally in the sport, and according to Foster, the idea for the event came about when he was looking for a way to promote them and boxing in the state of Georgia.
“I was thinking, ‘How can I put these guys on a higher platform, and how can I get them more exposure?’” he said. “That’s when it came to me to have an actual pro-am show where I can showcase some of the top amateurs in the country, as well as some of the up and coming pros that are doing well in this area. The larger promoters, TV stations and Pay Per Views want to see people in the seats. That’s how they get their money, and it all starts from the ground up. So basically we’re just trying to build up this state as a boxing state.”
The idea to join boxing and biking together was a no-brainer for Foster, as he says most men in biker clubs “want to see a good fight.”
“It only made sense to be able to put the two together,” he said. “Harley Davidson is such a household name when it comes to motorcycles. They’re legendary, so it was only fitting to have them and to name it the best of both worlds because I’m showcasing the best talent here in Georgia and of course Harley Davidson is going to bring out the best bikes.”
Though both Fosters are fans of boxing, it was their son, Randy, who brought the sport alive for them and led to the opening of the gym in 2015.
“My son started boxing at about 15, and he has been ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in two different weight classes,” Foster said. “I asked him what his aspirations were, and he told me he wanted to be a pro boxer and a world champion, and I just wanted to support him. I started to see on the national level that there’s a lot of talent, and I started to see kids in this area who have talent but don’t have the support system. They don’t have the facilities or the ability to go to Atlanta where kids can go to get special training from coaches. I just wanted to be able to bring that closer to them, as well as give my son an opportunity to take advantage of it.”
In addition to the gym, the Fosters also run a non-profit organization called Infinite Opportunities, which proceeds from the registration will also help support. Through the organization, they help tutor kids in the area and provide a computer lab within the gym for kids to come and complete their school work.
For the Fosters, providing support for children is a main goal, whether in education or in the ring. For kids interested in amateur boxing, the costs to compete nationally can create a financial burden, as some tournaments cost around $5,000 to cover travel, lodging, registration and equipment. Through “The Best of Both Worlds,” Foster hopes sponsorships for these athletes will increase.
“I want to be able to introduce to the biking community the talent that Georgia has in boxing,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll see one of these boxers and want to support them. From there, it’ll grow into a bigger event every year, and at the same time, the fighter is able to get that exposure. A lot of them have the talent, but they don’t have the support, so I’m trying to intertwine the two worlds so those bikers who have love for the sport or just want to support and inspire a kid can sponsor them.”
For tickets to the Best of Both Worlds Pro-Am, registration for the bike competitions or a full schedule of the events, visit www.bobw2016proam.com.
