AC Phoenix, October 1990, Page 19
Marvin Ladson:
Fighter Dreams Of "Big Pay Day'
By M.A. Pharr
Thirty-two years of
age is stiil considered a
little young to talk about
exiting a career. But it
your a boxer it makes
perfectly good sense.
Marvin Louis Ladson,
32, has been to the
pinnacle of his boxing
career, and like others in
their chosen profession
he wishes he had done
things somewhat differ
ently.
Television and the
‘big money" purses the
Tysons’, Douglas' and
Leonards’ collect has
shown the glamour of
the boxing world, but
the majority of the box
ing would never get to
to see a championship
shot or the huge purse.
Most are like Marvin
Ladson. Ladson, unlike
many of his peers, is
brash and determined
enough to hold an eight
hour per day job, spend
time with his family and
train within his craft
enough so that when
that “big money" fight
comes... he’ll be ready.
The 5’8’, 147 lbs., ju
nior welterweight, is first
and foremost a husband
and a provider. “My wife
(Patricia)and I have
three children Louis
(10), Marvin (14), and
Elisia (7),’ said Ladson.
The West Forsyth grad
uate is a realist when it
comes to the profes
sion. ‘If a title fight
comes that’s okay. But
what I want is a big pay
day," said Lawson. ‘My
goal is to catch up on
some bills and get my
mother out of the pro
jects. I would like to
make a down payment
on a home for her," he
added.
Ladson reflected on
his 38 wins and eight
defeats in a respectable
career. ‘I’ve been
fighting since I was eigiit
years old," said Ladson.
‘My sister, Laura
Ladson, talked me into
going to The Gladiators
(boxing club). That day I
took in on one of the
toughest fighters in my
weight class. I knocked
him out and I’ve been
boxing since," Ladson
adds.
Ladson has video
taped various fights,
and he will have plenty
of good memories
about his career when K
ends. Ladson fought in
the nationals during the
Sugar Ray Leonard
amateur era. He also
fought Ray ‘Boom
Boom" Mancinl. ‘Boom
Boom Mancini is the
only fighter to ever really
knock me out," said
Ladson. ‘Oh sure. I’ve
been knocked down
and dazed, but Mancini
gave me a little some
thing to remember him
by," he added.
Hardee and I are
good friends now;
and it would be hard
to fight him again.
But if the money was
right we would have
to fight.
Ladson
Ladson is the former
Southeastern Title
holder. In 1986 he beat
Jimmy Hearns. ‘He was
10-0 at the time and I
knocked him out,"
stated Ladson. Ladson
lost the title to Vincent
Petway. ‘Petway lost
the title to Victor Davis
not so long ago," adds
Ladson.
Ladson credits his
trainers, Anke Lowery
(son) and Whit Lowery
(father) for helping to
point his career towards
his dream of a large
purse.
For many years
Ladson was handled by
‘Big Tom" Lawrence.
Lawrence, who died last
year, did what he
thought was right for
Ladson’s career. Now
that LadSbh’S dider tte
wishes he’d had more
input. ‘Big Tom" put mo
in the ring with guys far
more experienced than I
was. I was just a baby,
and a few of those fights
were against con
tenders ranked as high
as number four. It hurt
my confidence and ca
reer," said Ladson.
One fight that lingers
in Ladson’s mind was
his match with cross
town rival, Ken Hardee.
‘Hardee beat me here in
Winston-Salem for the
N.C. Championship in
1987. People thought I
was not in shape, but I
thought the officiating
was bad," said Ladson.
‘Hardee and I are good
friends now; and it
would be hard to fight
him again. But if the
money was right we
would have to fight," he
added.
While Ladson strives
to be his best he
seemingly surrounds
himself with positive
people who genuinely
care about him. ‘It’s
tough working a nine-to-
five and remain strong
enough to train, but it’s
something I have to do.
You have to be mentally
tough to say ‘no’ to
some of the things you
come in contact with,"
said Ladson. ‘My true
friends inspire me,
especiaily arourxf time
for a fight. You’d better
get some rest, you
should eat this, etc..."
he added. Ladson also
has a lot of support from
his co-workers at
Modem Chevrolet. *My
boss, Mr. Odell Cleary
inspires me along with
some of the other sale
people on staff," said
Ladson.
Marvin's Got
The Power
*\*. ' d
L
Ladson at work at
Modern Chevrolet
At the end of the in
terview Ladson iooks
me square in the eyes
and slates, ’ That big
pay day is coming. ’ As i
waik past Mr. Odeii
deary’s office a voice
sounds off, 'You're not
going to jinx him are
you.' I respond,
'Hopefuliy i'il help him
win. . .
ARCHBISHOP
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u
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