Area Fighters Dominate Regionals On Way to National Tourney. Restoring STL Boxing Glory
Credited to: ARGUS STAFF
February 2026
For decades St. Louis has been home to some of the toughest, hardest-working fighters in boxing. Discipline. Heart. Old school gyms tucked away in neighborhoods where kids looked up to fighters as if they were kings. All factors that have built boxing families that have produced elite fighters from St. Louis, including Henry Armstrong, Sonny Liston, Ray Lathon, Carl Daniels, the Finger Twins, Patrice Brooks, William Guthrie, Harold Petty and countless others.
St. Louis is consistently mentioned amongst the most reputable cities for boxing. From the likes of Detroit’s Kronk Gym to Joe Frazier’s training stomping grounds in Philadelphia and Lou Duva’s Garden Gym in New Jersey. Leon and Michael Spinks. Cory Spinks. Devon Alexander. For decades fighters from St. Louis have succeeded at both the amateur and professional levels. With equal legendary footing are those coaches like Buddy Shaw, Ben Stewart, Kenny Loehr, Ben Stewart, Jim Howell and more.
No matter the era, St. Louis has been a national player.
Meet the newest breed, the pugilistic offsprings of the greats.
Boxers from the St. Louis region took home 15 championships at the Regional Silver Gloves Tournament held last weekend in Rockford, Illinois. While multiple gyms contributed to Region 5’s success, all were members of what seems to be a larger, citywide boxing system that’s producing disciplined, high-caliber fighters.
Eric Benford is a coach and administrator who’s seen it all and helped make it happen. He is also the Vice President of the Ozark 22 Local Boxing Committee helps govern and sanction amateur boxing throughout St. Louis, eastern Missouri and southwestern Illinois.
The Ozark 22 LBC helps provide the framework for amateur boxing in the St. Louis area through tournaments, boxing certifications and more. It’s their goal to allow young fighters to safely compete and grow through amateur boxing.
“One of the things we’ve been working on lately is really bridging the gap between programs and cooperating with each other,” said Benford, who also coaches at Wohl’s Recreation Center. “We still want to pay homage to the greats like Ben Stewart and how he did it, but moving forward and bettering ourselves through boxing.”
Stewart, who worked closely with the Chicago-area Twin City Boxing Club, was a mentor and father figure to many who know him as simply “Ben,” an eight-time city champion and veteran coach for whom the boxing gym at Wohl’s was dedicated in honor.
Thanks to coaches like Benford and the efforts of the Ozark 22 LBC, and other legendary coaches these legacies will live on through the young fighters who recently dominated regionally. But with all the talented youth under Ozark 22 for Benford he echoes the mantra, “One Team, One Dream!” referring to the collective success of St. Louis as a region moreover than one gym.
Foxworth earned national championship fights after topping his regional field at 132 pounds. Martin, Johnson and Payton joined him at nationals after winning titles at 160, 178 and 112 pounds, respectively. Flenoy, Dobbins, Dinkins, Sharpley and Crossland also qualified after winning championships at 106, 100, 130, 138 and 165 pounds. Waller, Hodgest, Thompson, Duffield and Anthony earned berths after winning at 152, 140, 119, 180 and 119 pounds. Nelson rounded out the group with a championship at 132 pounds.
All participated in Silver Gloves for Wohl Gym. Tayari, Battle, Hartley, Gunn and Watkins boxed for Cherokee Center. Edwards and Phillips represented 12th and Park Center. Gusperian boxed for Solo Boxeo, Strode for Twin City Boxing, Menon for Box STL, Spencer for Lead Right Boxing, Hughes for Driscoll’s Believers Boxing and Davis and Moorehead competed unattached.
The list of impressive boxers from St. Louis churches, recreation centers and community clubs goes on.
“Seeing all the fighters come together as one, it’s a huge deal,” Benford added. “This is something we’ve all worked towards not only for ourselves, but for the St. Louis region.”
St. Louis will have fighters competing at the National Silver Gloves Tournament February 25-28, the premier youth amateur boxing even in the country, in Independence, Missouri. The National Silver Gloves event is a Tier 2 USA Boxing Ranking Tournament for qualified boxers for youth ages 8 to 17 who have won their respective state and regional championships.
Those interested in supporting these boxers on their journey to nationals can donate to their travel expenses through CashApp ($Ozark22lbc) or by contacting Coach Devonshea Smith, Ozark 22 Treasurer at (636) 233-2955.
Learn more about boxing programs offered by the City of St. Louis.
www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/parks/recreation/programs
BOXING HAS ALWAYS BEEN MORE THAN A SPORT IN ST. LOUIS. NOW IT LOOKS LIKE IT’LL CONTINUE THAT WAY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
