The boxing programs at the Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club date back to the 1950’s. During that time there were many young men who participated, that are now businessmen, lawyers, clergy, teachers, military personnel, and professional athletes. Names like Keith Arman, Glen Chapman, Jack Postlewate, Doyle McKinney, Earl Hudson, Ricky Young Sr., Lafayette Lawson, Laron Samuel, Anthony Carter, Rodney Gillespie and Dominick Guinn still echoes in boxing rooms and around the trophy cases. Amateur boxing appeals to young men who take to one on one physical challenges. In the 1950’s the Boys Club Boxing Team achieved recognition as one of the top teams in Arkansas. In the 1980’s and 1990’s that recognition was rebuilt and continues today.

Since the 1980’s the Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club Boxing Club has averaged 6-10 state champions a year, 4-6 regional champions a year, and a total of 16 nation champions, 10 state and regional team awards, and 3 metals in international competition, including a bronze metal in the 1998 Goodwill Games and gold metals in the 2000 and 2001 International Junior Olympics.

Two Hot Springs Boys & Girls Club boxers attended college on boxing scholarships in the 1990’s and several are eligible today through their athletic and academic achievements. The Boxing Club enrolls 25 to 35 young males and females each year. The program strives to instill a degree of discipline and respect in young athletes through athletic competition and participation.

Hot Springs Police Department Captain Willie McCoy, a former Boys Club Boxer and four time Arkansas Gold Gloves and AAU Heavyweight Champion, has coached the boxing team for 26 years. He is assisted in coaching by Officer Chris Adkins who is also a former Boys Club Boxer.

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