Float like a Butterfly, Sting like Sims

Hank Johnson has the perfect description for Avon middle schooler Anthony Sims, Jr. He's like a Jedi fighter," Johnson said. "He's clean cut, a great kid and he's the best boxer out there. You can't ask for more." Johnson has coached Simms in boxing for the past two years. When he saw the 13-year-old enter the gym six years ago, he knew he wanted to coach him. "He's the kind of kid who loves being in the gym," Johnson said. "I noticed that years ago. He loves being in the gym and when he's in the gym, he loves the challenge of hard work. That's a perfect combination." Sims was born to box. His father is a former All-Army boxer and he's the first cousin of former world champion Floyd Mayweather, whom Sims will get to meet in July at the national championships in Las Vegas. Boxing, however, was not his first love. "I loved karate when I was younger but I kept getting disqualified because I would make contact with the face," Sims said. "I just couldn't help myself." After a series of disqualifications in karate tournaments, Sims turned to boxing. He's now a unified champion in Indiana and holds titles in the junior Golden Gloves, the junior Olympics, the silver golden gloves and is a state and regional champion in both junior Olympics and golden gloves. Sims also won the World Championship for his division in August and will begin training for the Olympics this fall. He sports an 11-1 record this year and is the No. 2-rated national boxer at 132 pounds in the 13-14 age category. "He has such a reputation that a lot of kids move up or down a weight class to avoid boxing him," said Johnson, an assistant coach on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team. "He's just a natural athlete who loves the thrill of hard work and competition." Johnson has followed Sims' career since he saw him in the gym six years ago, but it wasn't until two years ago that he became his full-time coach. "I remember seeing him work in the gym as a 7-year-old and I was impressed," Johnson said. "He just seemed to grasp things naturally and that's something you always look for." Sims says boxing fits his style perfectly. "I love contact," he said. "I'm not sure why, but I just love the feeling of contact." Johnson has taken that love of contact and refined it to make Simms an all-around athlete. "I guess what I like most is the conditioning," Sims said. "Coach has taught me that conditioning in the best way to help you become a good athlete. You have to stay in shape to be at the top of your game and that is something coach (Johnson) stresses all the time." Johnson said it's hard to keep Sims out of the gym. "His dedication and perseverance are incredible," he said. "With a lot of young kids it's tough to get them in the gym, but not with Anthony. He's always eager to get into the gym and when he's there he wants to do whatever it takes to improve. Whatever he wants to do, he can do." Sims is more than just a boxer, but what he learns in the ring helps him in other areas. In addition to boxing, Sims is a wide receiver for the Avon middle school football team and plays point guard in the winter for the Orioles basketball team. "I probably like football a little better than basketball because of the contact," Sims said. "Boxing helps me in both sports because of the quick footwork you have to have in boxing and the strength training. I think the shuffling of my feet makes me a better basketball player, but the punching drills help me in football because punching and catching a football uses similar movements. Plus, the strength training is great for football." Sims' athletic schedule is busy. He had 12 fights in the first six months of this year and in addition to the Las Vegas trip in July, he'll fight in Kansas City in August for the world championships. He'll be one of 1,200 fighters from 15 countries in Kansas City. "I'll challenge anyone," Sims said. "Coach has taught me not to be afraid to fight anyone and that's the attitude I always have." Sims also works constantly on his form. "Most of the kids I see my age are kind of wild," he said. "I think I'm a pretty good boxer on the ropes. I like to think about my punches before I throw them and I like to think about the best way to attack. Most kids just of throw punches without thinking about them." Sims' long-range goals include fighting in the Olympics and then turning professional. "I think the Olympics would be cool," Sims said. "I don't want to just fight in small places. I'd love to be on ESPN and HBO and I'd love to some day represent our country in the Olympics. I know that's a big dream, but coach always tells me to dream big and work hard and good things will happen." Johnson thinks anything is possible. "When you have the Jedi attitude like Anthony does, you can do anything," he said. "He's the best young boxer I've ever seen and I've been in boxing my whole life. I think anything is possible for Anthony."-