Boxing With the Stars

A group of national and international boxing professionals will come to the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus for a panel discussion and Q&A session on March 19.

The three former world champions, USA Olympian, championship referee and state administrator/boxing commissioner will speak about their careers in the sport. They will be moderated by A&M-Commerce Assistant Professor of Political Science Dr. Robert G. Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, who has covered many fights as a journalist and written articles for The Ring magazine, came up with the idea for “Boxing with the Stars” because of his love of boxing. He also published the book “The Regulation of Boxing: A History and Comparative Analysis of Policies Among American States” in 2009, which explains the intricate state rules for boxing regulation as there is no national boxing commission.

“This is a great opportunity for the A&M-Commerce community to meet world class athletes and officials and to learn from the stories they will share about their own lives and careers in boxing,” said Rodriguez.

The visiting panelists include former World Welterweight Champion and 2003 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Curtis Cokes, former WBC World Welterweight Champion and Dancing with the Stars contestant Victor Ortiz, former IBF World Featherweight Champion and former World Karate and Kickboxing Champion Troy Dorsey, USA Quarter-finalist Olympian in the 2012 London Games and undefeated professional welterweight contender Errol Spence, Jr., Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation Combative Sports Administrator Dickie Cole and the boxing referee who generally officiates the most important fights in Texas, Laurence Cole.

The event will begin at 7p.m. in Ferguson Auditorium. After the Q&A session concludes, attendees will have an opportunity to interact with the panelists. Admission is free to students, staff and the public.

For more information, contact Dr. Rodriguez at [email protected].