Ray Mercer, born April 4, 1961, he turned pro in 1989, and is a former professional boxer, kickboxer, and mixed martial artist. As a professional boxer he fought from 1989 to 2008, and during that time he held the WBO heavyweight title from 1991 to 1992. As an amateur, at the age of 27 years old, he won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics.      He successfully fought five different opponents in the Summer Olympics to win that Gold by KO'ing his opponent in the finals.   As a mixed Martial Artist, Mercer is known for scoring an upset one-punch knockout victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in 2009. Ray and his wife Kim live in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Ray had epic fights with Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Tommy Morrison, Bert Cooper, and Evander Holyfield to name a few.   Ray Mercer did not take up boxing until his twenties by which time he was a sergeant in the US Army. Mercer qualified for the Olympic team by winning a split decision victory over Tommy Morrison, a fight that was considerably harder than any he fought in Seoul. Mercer defeated all four of all his Olympic opponents inside the scheduled distance. 

Shelby "Bonetown Brawler" Gross, born May 14, 1972, from Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he fought professionally from 1996 to 2008.  In his career he has won five Tough Man Championships with three of those in South Carolina, one in Georgia, and one in North Carolina. He fought Kelvin Hudson, World Kickboxing Champion, in a Tough Man bout and won the championship.   His pro boxing record was 16-5-0. He fought many great fighters who were champions. Some of the fighters include Dale Brown, Robert Daniels, Bobby Gunn, and Michael Moorer who was Heavyweight Champion of the World. He stopped Bobby Gunn in the second round for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Cruiserweight Title.   Shelby Gross was recognized on the South Carolina State House floor by then Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer.   Shelby is happily married to Caroline Rose Mann Gross. They have two sons, Manny and Coleman, who are both registered under Billy Stanick White Rock Boxing, sanctioned by USA Boxing. Shelby is training his two sons at an early age, and they both love boxing.  

Tad Josephs is a former Olympic boxer and long time official and coach of amateur boxing.   Born in Grenada, he became the All Caribbean Champion three times and made the 1988 Olympic Team. He won many tournaments including the Organization of Caribbean states four times, and boxed internationally many times. His final record was 80-25.  He moved to Charlotte and began an outstanding career as a coach/official with the Charlotte Boxing Academy and USA Boxing in 1994. Has has been a prolific judge/referee in more than 200 amateur bouts. He is a volunteer coach at the Charlotte Boxing Academy.  "Tad is one of our best coaches and is totally devoted to helping kids learn the sport. He passes along his vast knowledge of boxing as well as anyone. He is a great example of what is the essence of amateur boxing, " said H.A. (Humpy) Wheeler, chairman of Charlotte Boxing.   Tad is married to Eloise, an award-winning official of USA Boxing. They have three children.

Jeannette Hammond was born in Zebulon , NC and reside there now with her husband Tom after 30 years service as Administrative Assistant to the Attorney General and Secretary of State and ended her career in government with the Department of Crime Control as Director of The North Carolina Boxing Commission.  In 2001 Jeannette became the Secretary of the Association of Boxing Commissions. She was able to travel and serve as inspector and Assistant to many great events like the Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson fight in Memphis. Jeannette worked all over the state with classes and courses for officials, being one of the first commissions to do so. She is a founding board member of the Jimmy V. Kids Klassic and committee member for 24 years.

Freddie D. Crawford began his boxing career in 1966. Two years later, Freddy was undefeated and won his first Carolina Golden Gloves Championship with Gastonia Boys Club coached by Fred Masters.  Freddie later joined the Charlotte Boxing Club and trained under Hall of Fame member Coach D.C. Smith, where he won his second Open Division Carolina Golden Gloves Championship, collecting a 49 wins and 13 losses record. Freddie's passion for boxing and coaching youth has positioned him as Assistant/Head Coach of Gastonia P.A.L. Boxing Team.   Forming and coaching Gastonia Eagles Track and Field for 26 years, head Track and Field Coach at Ashbrook High School, Gastonia, NC.   Freddie is retired Captain of 29 years service with the Gastonia Police Department.

Robert H. Salters has his first amateur bout in April 1984 while at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was told that if stationed at Fort Bragg to try out for their Boxing Team. Over the years Robert compiled 44 wins and 6 losses, winning the 1988 United State Amateur Championship Super Heavyweight Division, knocking out Riddick Bowe in the process. Salters defeated Bowe again in the Olympic trials, but was defeated by Bowe in the Olympic Box-Off and was named to the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team Alternative.  Robert is married to his wife Shirley and his children Lenniah and Imuana live in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

SPECIAL AWARDS -- 2018

WALTER JOHNSON III 2018 Carolinas Boxing Contributor of the Year Award

GLEN T. IVEY 2018 Floyd Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award