CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- The All-Marine boxing trials started yesterday at Goettge Field House here with referee Everett Vandervere stopping the first fight in the third round.
Corporal Jawawn Hairston of Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, backed Cpl. David Nickelson of 2d Force Service Support Group here against the ropes and threw a fury of punches causing Nickelson to become dazed and the fight stopped with 18-seconds remaining.
The fight, which was the first of eight bouts on the evening's card, featured the first of six Lejeune-area fighters advancing to the finals Thursday.
Also advancing were Lance Cpl. Mike Martinez of 2d FSSG and four 2d Marine Division fighters; 1st Lt. Alan Singleton, Cpl. Christopher Tillman and Lance Cpls. Charles Davis and Jacob Garreston.
According to Hairston, who's boxed for more than seven-years and two and one-half on the Marine Corps team, the evening's card matched some good fighters.
"I had a great opponent with a lot of heart," the Norton, Va., Marine said. "In general, the people who came out here tonight saw some of the Marine Corps' best."
New Coach Master Sgt. Robert Michael of Marine Corps Base said he hopes to establish a 24-man team for the upcoming season. Michael, who was guided under longtime coach Roosevelt Sanders for five years and boxed on the team in 1988, said with more than 32 fighters at the trials he is excited about the prospects he's seen.
The trials are scheduled to continue tonight and will conclude tomorrow at 7 p.m. with seven fights kicking-off the team season.
The Marines Corps team is scheduled for its first competition of the year next month in Fort Huachuca, Ariz., at the Armed Forces Championships. From there, they are scheduled to attend 'The Golden Gloves' and the National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.