Boxing with Erik Larsen

NW's Erik Larsen, Librarian II, has an interesting history apart from JPL and wanted to share his experience and goals in the boxing world, "I've been involved with boxing since late 1997, when I began my career as a ring official with USA Boxing, the national governing body for amateur boxing in the United States. Most of my work has been as a judge, scoring the bouts from ringside, but I've also served as timekeeper, glover, clerk, and referee on occasion. In the amateurs, I've officiated about twenty national-level tournaments, including both the men's and the women's National Golden Gloves championships.

 

"According to the Florida Statutes, an applicant to become a pro boxing judge in Florida must attend (at his or her own expense) and unofficially score at least 350 rounds of professional boxing. I reached that milestone earlier this year, and last month I was duly licensed by the Florida State Boxing Commission as a professional boxing judge. My pro debut was on October 11^th, at the "Showdown In O-Town III" card in Fern Park, north of Orlando.

 

"I plan to keep working on both the amateur and the pro sides of boxing. My ambition in pro boxing is to one day judge a heavyweight championship fight, and have Michael Buffer (the boxing announcer known for his catchphrase, "Let's get ready to RRRRUUUUUMMMBBBLLLLE!") read my scorecard to an audience of millions."