His Mom just wanted to get him out of the house that summer for some exercise.  But Ryan Waldrop – who was 13 years old in 2009 – discovered his love for boxing through Club Knockout.  Four years later, Ryan is the Middle Tennessee State Golden Gloves Champion in the 152-pound weight class for 2013.

Club Knockout is a non-profit volunteer boxing organization sponsored by the Percy Priest Lodge #85 Fraternal Order of Police.  “We started Club Knockout to give teenagers something to do that would keep them off the streets. Although this is open to all ages and genders, we focus primarily on kids who find other sports financially out-of-reach,” said La Vergne Detective Kevin Stolinsky, treasurer of the local F.O.P. chapter, “That Ryan has reached this level of sportsmanship in just a few years is a testament to both his determination and the hard work of our coaches. We are very proud of him.”

In 2010, Ryan won the Middle Tennessee Golden Gloves for his weight class as a novice fighter, but it was not an advancing tournament for him. He won a title belt in 2011 at the Title National Championships in Ripley, Tenn., as well as the 2012 Kentucky State Championship, before his latest victory. 

“Being part of Club Knockout means everything to him,” said his mother, Stephanie Boles. “Sometimes it is the one thing in the world that you would never think of that turns out to be the solution to an issue. Coach Keith McKnight took my rambunctious, unfocused, hyperactive 13 year old and turned him into a disciplined, focused, confident, respectful, goal-oriented 17 year old who we could not be more proud of.”

Ryan was recognized with a certificate of achievement by Mayor Senna Mosley and the City of La Vergne at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2013.

Source: 

Kathy Tyson, City of LaVergne