Three from Rocket City Boxing to fight in USA Boxing Nationals

MADISON – The sounds of the speedbag being whipped into a frenzy, the heavy bag being bombarded with heavy punches and the unmistakable pops and scuffles of two athletes sparring radiate daily from Rocket City Boxing located on Jordan Lane in Huntsville. Among those noise makers yearning to have a great workout as a boxer or make the sport their athletic endeavors are three young athletes who are preparing for the chance of a lifetime.

Sydney Houston, Lance Holloway and Bradley Belt have each reached out in their respective weight divisions and will tangle with some of the best boxers in the country at the USA Boxing Nationals scheduled for Dec. 16-20 in Richmond, Va.

“Each of them qualified or received a special exemption for the nationals and have worked hard to ready their minds and bodies for this spectacle,” said Allen Martin, owner and head boxing coach of Rocket City Boxing.

Let’s look at each of the athletes: Sydney Houston, 28, a stay-at-home mother of two daughters. Won her 112-pound division to qualify. Smooth, flows through a match. Boxes gracefully with a calm demeanor while in the ring.

Lance Holloway, 28, light-heavyweight division with over 30 fights under his belt. Won last two bouts to qualify. Has a long jab and great fundamentals and is very good fighting on his back foot. Overall, well-rounded athlete.

Bradley Belt, 25, a one-time D-1 recruit playing high school basketball. A heavyweight division fighter who has all the character traits you want in a fighter. He defends punches with good footwork slipping punches. Athletic. Received a waiver to the nationals due to his latest strong performances in the ring.

For Holloway, stepping into the boxing ring comes as almost a natural as he grew up having to defend himself from friends and others who would tease and confront him. He stood his ground so well he was often called upon to be the muscle within his group of friends when trouble arose.

“Boxing has taught me to live and learn about yourself as you can’t ‘play’ boxing, you have to take it seriously,” said Holloway, a 2015 graduate of Hazel Green High where he was a wide receiver for the school’s football team. “Boxing is a combat sport and I take it serious all the time.”

Houston was a two-time All-State basketball player at Tanner High where she helped the Lady Rattlers to two final four appearances winning a state championship in her freshman year. She earned a scholarship to play at Wallace State where she studied art, which is how she’s currently makes a living selling her canvas paintings and drawing and inking tattoos.

“I began boxing as a way to exercise, to stay in shape,” said Houston, who recently moved back to North Alabama after living in Texas for two years. “I took a four-year break from boxing as I had my two daughters, ShaKae is four and AuShae is three. I’m a stay-at-home mom as I live with my sister.”

She traveled to Louisiana in August for the Woman’s Nationals where she posted a 3-0 record winning her division thus earning a spot in the upcoming USA Boxing Nationals. She added, “I came to Rocket City Boxing because I wanted the best coaches and Allen Martin is my coach. I have a high boxing IQ as I have good footwork, and my best punch is a straight right.”

The 5-foot-7, 110-pound fighter said she feels soft and motherly with her two daughters, but added, “All that goes out the window when I step into the ring. I love the challenges boxing presents me, especially mentally. It excites me to face my fears in the ring.”

The 6-2, 192-pound Belt sits on a 9-2 record with five knockouts in the heavyweight division. His fulltime job is working the line alongside Holloway at Mazda- Toyota. He was a two-sport athlete at Hazel Green High before transferring to James Clemens High where he was a star player for both the basketball and football teams.

“While at James Clemens I was a running back and I led the team in touchdowns and was a leader on the basketball team where I earned a scholarship to attend the University of Wyoming where I played for two seasons,” said Belt.

This is where Belt’s life story makes a drastic change.

While at Wyoming Belt received news that hit him in the gut stronger than any opponent ever could. A medical examination revealed he had a form of leukemia, and he quickly underwent chemotherapy. Belt continued to stay physically active and soon left the school and transferred to Georgia Highlands College where he played two seasons. Still dealing with his illness, he was unable to keep up his strength and stamina and couldn’t recover each time he worked out.

“I have survived and have been in remission as my doctors told me I responded well to treatment because of my activity. That made all the difference,” said Belt.

He began to box in a gymnasium near his Georgia school and it was there Belt knew he possibly had something special in the ring as coaches indicated he was very good. He soon returned to his home and stepped into Rocket City Boxing where he and Holloway soon began to travel to other locales in Georgia and Tennessee where they fought in numerous bouts.

“I love boxing. I love the feeling of victory. It’s a rush. I crave the victory feeling,” said Belt. “I’m excited about the nationals as at one time I checked into possibly being a professional fighter going to places like Miami and Dallas, but I soon came home as I found out I didn’t want to depend on others. I got a job, and I box because I love it.”

I was in a dark space in my life when I came back home and boxing reconnected me, grounded me, as the sport helps me push myself when I think I can’t,” said Houston. “It’s hard being a single mom. Boxing gives me a chance to show my daughters to believe in yourself. I want them to try anything they want with confidence.”

Holloway, 6-1, 176-pounds, will face strong opposition at the nationals as many as 24 fighters are listed in his bracket. He doesn’t know most of them. He said, “I’m going to prove myself and make the National U.S. Team. I feel I’m built to win.”