Former McKenzie Boxing Club Members Reunite

McKENZIE (April 18) — The McKenzie Boxing Club held a reunion on Saturday, April 18, at the McKenzie Church of Christ New Fellowship Hall from 3-6 p.m.

Approximately 15 former club participants and their family members enjoyed a catered meal and shared memories, old photos and memorabilia from their competition days.

The club competed from 1989-95 under the coaching of Chris Edlin, a competitive boxer native to McKenzie. Over the years, the club formed an impressive roster of competitive boxers aged 8-19 years old, some of whom would even claim the title of Mid South Golden Gloves Champion.
Terry Traywick was the first McKenzie Boxing Club trainee, joining in 1988 at the age of 12. He trained and competed for five seasons until he was 16, having a total of 27 amateur bouts. Wes Price was the second trainee in the club, joining in 1989.

In 1990, the club had a stellar season. Five of the six club members — Terry Traywick, Brian Flatt, Courtney Nolen, Patrick Little and Jason Priddy — won West Tennessee championships.

Patrick Little, Courtney Nolen and Brian Flatt continued their reign, accomplishing an undefeated season in 1990-91, with Little winning Outstanding Junior Boxer in the West Tennessee Golden Gloves.

Terry Traywick, Brian Flatt and Jason Hurley also competed for and/or won Mid South Golden Gloves championships for senior division boxers (age 16+).

In the 1990s, popular heavyweight Jason Hurley won two West Tennessee championships and defeated several high-level amateurs. Terry Traywick won four championships, and Brian Flatt won three. Traywick and Flatt also each won Outstanding Golden Gloves Boxer awards.

Other notable McKenzie Boxing Club members with West Tennessee titles are Mike Mahar, Wes Price, Jason Winberry, Donnie Madison, Jeremy Keymon, Jason Chesser and Brandon Arnhold.

The team trained at three different locations during their active years, including the National Guard Armory (1990-91), Webb School Gymnasium (1992-94) and Long Heights Baptist Church gymnasium in 1995.

Coach Edlin began his amateur boxing career in 1981 and boxed competitively until 1989. He was encouraged to form the McKenzie Boxing Club in 1989 by long-time Jackson Boxing Club coach and legend Rayford Collins.

Edlin coached exclusively from 1990-95 before returning to competitive boxing in the 2000s.

Coach Edlin had a total of 27 bouts from age 19-53. Three of those bouts came after 2003, when a Masters Boxing Division began for amateur competitors 40 years and older. Edlin competed in three national level championships for elite level amateur boxers at ages 48 and 53, winning a title Masters National Championship at lightweight (132 pounds) at age 48 in 2010.

This was the McKenzie Boxing Club’s first formal reunion since Coach Edlin stepped down in 1995.