Brent native to coach Olympic Boxing team

Brent native to coach U.S. Boxing Team in 2012 London Olympic Games

By Daniel L. Bamberg

Daniel@Centrevillepress.com

He describes himself as a country boy, comes from a big family, is a Southern Baptist, participated in nearly every competitive sport at BCHS, and upon graduation decided to serve his country in the U.S. Army.  As the locals would suggest, “it doesn’t get anymore Bibb County than that.” 

Staff Sergeant Charles Leverette will now be serving both his community and country on a grand stage.  In late June the former boxer and current U.S. Army boxing coach was tapped to help coach the U.S. Olympic boxing team at the 2012 Summer Games in London, England.

“I have chills right now just talking about this,” said Leverette in a Friday morning interview.  “This is a tremendous honor and I know it is going to be a moment of great pride when I hear our country’s National Anthem played in London.”

Leverette was born in Brent to a well-known and large family.  From an early age he participated in every sport he could.  He played baseball, basketball and football and was a stand out in each of those at the high school level.  Upon graduation from Bibb County High School he joined the U.S. Army Reserves.  In 1995 Charles Leverette made the decision to become an active duty soldier.  In his spare time he was a boxer, not only boxing with the U.S. Army team but also competing outside of the service.  His boxing career would have never been had it not been for his Sergeant placing a bet with Leverette.

“I explained to him that it was a one on one sport and to me wasn’t interesting,” said Leverette.  “But he bet me a 4 day pass that I couldn’t box.  If I proved him wrong that was time you couldn’t buy.  So that weekend I knocked out two boxers and got the pass.”

From that moment on, Leverette knew he had found something to hold onto.

After competing in the 2004 Olympic trials, Leverette decided to retire and become a coach.  Over the past several years he has been a boxing coach with the U.S. Army.  He has also helped coached many individuals outside of the Army, including 2010 bronze medalist, Deontay Wilder.

“I was one of the first people Deontay called after he medaled,” explained Leverette.  “He told me all the hard work had paid off and thanked me.”

Leverette suggested that working with Deontay is a highlight of his coaching career.  He said at times it was tough because he was perhaps stricter on Wilder than many others he has coached because of the Alabama affiliation. 

“He had the will and was disciplined, but it was hard to get him to understand that he had some growing to do with his skills,” said Leverette.  “At times I am certain the thought of knocking me out crossed his mind because I rode him pretty hard.  He was from Alabama.  A fellow Alabamian wasn’t about to take it easy on him.”

Leverette will be coaching alongside his own personal boxing mentor, Basheer Abdullah.  This legendary boxing coach who is now coaching his third Olympic team also coached Leverette when the young boxing soldier was coming up.

“That relieves a lot of stress because I already know and understand his philosophy,” explained Charles.  “It is a tremendous honor to be coaching in the Olympics with the guy who taught me what I am teaching other boxers.  It is exactly like working under an old boss.  It is a natural feeling.”

Most of the boxers with the U.S. Olympic Team have worked with Charles before.  He believes they all know what to expect by seeing his name on the roster.  Leverette explained that he wants to help instill a new level of discipline in these young boxers. 

“When you coach soldiers it isn’t difficult to instill proper discipline,” expressed Leverette.  “They get the necessary discipline everyday with the Army.  These Olympic boxers may or may not be more skilled but they are used to doing things on their own time.  They are used to doing things in a more laid-back environment.  One of the things I want to focus on is discipline, the sort of discipline that comes natural to a soldier.  After all, while it’s on an athletic level, these boxers are serving their country.” 

That is precisely how Leverette says he views this opportunity.  He isn’t simply looking at this as a competition but another way to serve his country.  That is something he has already done as a soldier and Staff Sergeant, but at the Olympic Games he will be helping to serve his country in the field of athletic superiority.

Leverette vows to wear the red, white and blue with pride but also plans on sneaking in a little purple and gold and crimson and white into his apparel. 

“I won’t be as visible as the boxers but I will be in their corner,” said Leverette.  “I plan on trying to sneak my Bibb County Choctaws hat in and I will also definitely being showing some crimson and white.”

Leverette wants the youth of Bibb County to understand that stories like his haven’t come easy. 

“I used to think that being from a small town lessened my opportunity to be whatever I wanted to be.  My family, especially my sister Carolyn (Abercrombie) encouraged me to think bigger.  Being from a small town only means you may have to work harder at your dreams, but the same opportunities that people from big cities have are out there for those who are from small towns.  I made my way through the military but that isn’t the only path.  Everybody has to find (his or her) own way.  Success at any level begins with an attitude.”

Leverette lives by a motto, a quote from Henry Ford - “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are absolutely right.”  

(photo) Staff Sergeant Charles Leverette (farthest right), a native of Brent and graduate of Bibb County High School has been selected to assist in coaching the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team.  Leverette is the coach of the U.S. Army Boxing Team.  He currently lives in Colorado.  Head Coach Basheer Abdullah (farthest left) is Leverette’s own former coach from his own boxing days.  Leverette considers Abdullah his mentor.