 |
||||
|
BRIAN
SMITH
"Born 1970 in 'Iron City' Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I’ve been a sports fan, especially boxing, ever since my father introduced me to the sport in 1978 on CBS’s Wide World of Sports. I grew up watching the champions like Floyd Patterson, Ken Norton, Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran. And then watched most of them again as they attempted their comebacks. I later found out that my grandfather, Anthony Pernatozzi, was a boxer out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His brother, Carmen “Notch” Pernatozzi, was ranked in the top 10 in the Welterweight Division. Carmen even had a shot at the Welterweight Title against Fritzie Zivic (one of the five fighting Zivic brothers: Joe, Eddie, Pete and Jack) on December 15th, 1942. I began formal boxing training at the age of 17 at Livonia Boxing Club in Michigan. It was here that I had some memorable moments sparring with the former USBA Heavyweight Champion, Greg Page. I also weathered a sparring session with Bobby “Hitman” Hitz in 1987 as he trained for his fight against George Foreman. I continued my training in 1988 at Emanuel Steward’s Kronk Boxing Gym in Detroit, Michigan, and it was here that I learned another technique and style - peek-a boo. At that time, I was inspired to continue fighting, but in a different sense. At age 19, I joined the United States Air Force and served from 1989 to 1994. I got into excellent shape and was asked to try out for the U.S. Air Force Boxing Camp at Kelly A.F.B. San Antonio, Texas. I became a member of USA Boxing and later qualified against other inter-service members from the Army, Navy and Marines, finishing with a record of 12-2-0 (and given the name “Rocky” by my squadron!). I began intense training for the Pan/American Team until suffering a dislocated shoulder. Three months later I left boxing to participate in Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm where I worked as a Tactical Aircraft Maintenance Specialist on fighter jets, as an F-15 Eagle Crew Chief, and as an End of Runway Supervisor until Honorably Discharged in 1994. I am currently enrolled as a senior at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee expecting to graduate this December 2004. My major is Journalism-Mass Communications: sub major: Advertising and Public Relation Campaigns. I now find myself intrigued with the martial art of Muaythai Kickboxing and have begun writing about the sport. I also recently started the Level 1 training program at Duke Roufus Kickboxing & Boxing Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin."
CALL 414.967.7767 |
||||
|
|
||||
