Deuces! Knockouts and Evans redemption put exclamation on Debbie King’s “Camp Wars” in Orwell, Ohio
By Kenneth Miller | Publisher
ORWELL, OHIO–The name and bloodlines is all that Debbie King shares with her famous father who for more than 50 years ruled the sport of boxing with a fleet of Hall of Fame champions and record breaking events that sold out big arenas and even a soccer stadium in Mexico City.
Born into a game in which she was not allowed to participate during Don King’s stranglehold on the sport, Debbie is carving her own niche with a twist that is void of flare, but filled with excitement and fun in a way that could potentially renovate the sport of boxing.
Taking what she has at her disposal, a 600 acre site that King Training Camp rest, equipped with two boxing rings, a cafeteria and enough to house more than a dozen fighters, Debbie decided to present her imagination by transforming the camp site into an event site.
GREAT NIGHT–Debbie King, second from left stands with DeAngelo “Muscle” Evans after inaugural “Camp Wars” boxing event at King Training Camp in Orwell, Ohio on Oct. 24th. (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)
Her first installment of “Camp Wars” featured four bouts of young fighters that in King Training Camp glory years would not have made it to a dorm room let alone an opportunity have a real fight.
However that’s what happened on 60 plus degree Saturday evening in this township known for his highways shared by both cars and horse plodding buggies, where corn grows in the field and the main convince store is Family Dollar and the top restaurant is A&W Root Beer.
The blood spattered ring was recovered with a soft grey canvas that donned her logo, black drapes enclosed the ring, dozens of plastic chairs were assembled for patrons who entered for free and a white vinyl tent was erected next to the gym, decorated with a a spread that included lamb chops, shrimp cocktail, crab cakes, assorted deserts including home made banana pudding for VIP guest who were presents with gift bag or My Father cigars, and ode to the old man.
It all served for the splendid backdrop for the Pablo Picasso she had painted on the night.
Kani Burnside (2-3, 2KO) started the night with a devastating 2nd round knockout of Andrew Toppin (0-6, 6xKOd) who hadn’t fought in two years. Jaquan Everett, (2-4,) and Debbie’s undefeated prospect Josue Guerrero (3-0, 2KO) matched it with TKOs of their own that also concluded in the second round.
Few will remember Ryan Paul Vallier Sanchez (2-4, 2 KO), or DeAndre Menser (1-7, 1KO) who lost on the evening, but in a sport that is often both ruthless and cruel and controlled by deep pocketed promoters who manipulate sanctioning bodies they all got a chance to fight for Debbie.
The exclamation mark was put on the night by rising welterweight DeAngelo “Muscle” Evans (16-1, 14KO) who redeemed himself with a hard fought 8 round unanimous decision against Emmanuel Morales Rodriguez (10-11, 6 KO).
Sitting ringside and enjoying it all were champions from the past such as Buster Douglas and Nate Campbell, and current WBO lightweight champion Abdullah Mason.
“I’m very impressed with all the combatants this evening. I think we had a good show for our inaugural Camp Wars and I’m looking forward to many more. Next up for us will be Rising Kings and we are looking to that it to Las Vegas,” Debbie said.
She said she was very proud of Evans, but even more so of her fighter Guerrero.
“I went to a pilgrimage to Israel and met his parents and found out he wanted to box, they found out I was in the boxing business and that;’s how the relationship developed,” Debbie explained.
And for Debbie King Promotions that how this next generation of boxing royalty will make her impression, giving an opportunity to as her father would say the down rotten and forgotten.
Chief among her team is her son Greg who does most of the heavy lifting by himself and her brother Eric chips in with transportation. Most of her staff are Black women, heck even the ringer announcer was a Black woman.
Yeah, this is Debbie King, the only daughter of the great Don King and as Frank Sinatra sang it she’s doing it her way.
