Learning Between the Ropes | Betty Jane 5th Grader Seeks National Boxing Title

Antonio Duncan puts on a pair of black boxing gloves that appear to overwhelm his 65-pound frame. Then, he proceeds to furiously jab and hook a speed bag strapped to the ceiling of Rodriquez Boxing Club, a quaint, throw-back gym tucked away in the corner of Rocco Plaza in Tallmadge.

The Betty Jane CLC fifth-grader grinds and guts throughout his workout. There is no sweat to spare, no fatigue deep enough to deter his immeasurable will to craft a masterful performance at next month’s national championships in Lubbock, Texas.

The 10-year-old Duncan loves the fight game. Already, he’s gained a reputation as a boxing purist – a determined fighter swayed not by his ambitions, but rather a willingness to maximize his lofty potential.

Clearly, Antonio is unlike most grade-schoolers in Akron Public Schools, or any district, anywhere. While most students his age imagine a trip to Disney World, boxing is enabling him to experience nearly every corner of America.

Antonio’s talents have taken him and his grandfather, Terrance Duncan, on an unimaginable cross-country journey. They have traveled from Toledo to Wichita to Albuquerque to Detroit to the boxing capital of the world, Las Vegas.

“I've been to Texas and Tennessee, but I’m hoping we'll see even more places,” said Antonio, who didn’t have a home fight in Akron until this past Saturday when he was part of the main event at the Lawton Community Center, which is adjacent to Schumacher CLC in the city’s West side.

The fight, which he won easily over an aggressively difficult opponent, helps to prepare him for the year’s final national championships in Lubbock, which is scheduled for Dec. 5-13. Antonio earned an invitation to the tournament on the strength of his performance in the nationals earlier this year. 

Despite being on the road, Antonio remains focused academically. While the United States Boxing Association provides Betty Jane with the excused absence forms, he stays on course with his homework and assignments by studying and reading on the road.

“It works out alright,” said Antonio with an easy, radiant smile that lights up the gym. “It’s tough doing school work when we’re out of town, but it’s harder trying to make weight for each fight.”

Antonio is an open fighter, meaning he takes on all challengers regardless of the opponent’s skill level who has 10 or more fights. Usually, young fighters are matched against opponents of the same age, but he’s uniquely skilled to take on more experienced fighters.

“Actually, I kind of threw him in with the sharks,” said Terrance Duncan, who as his grandson’s trainer, has meticulously orchestrated Antonio’s young budding career. “I never really took him through the building stage.”

Antonio had an unspectacular beginning in the ring, compiling a slightly better than even record through 16 bouts. He’s been far more dominant since, compiling a 21-5 record – including an impressive run in winning an open national championship earlier this year.

Antonio, who turns 11 on Jan. 11, had his first fight at age 7. Admittedly, there is some pressure for a 10-year-old pugilist on a campus when his fellow fifth-graders view him through a different lens than most others.

“Even at a young age, I knew he could compete,” said Duncan, whose son, Tyler, (Antonio’s uncle) a former boxer, is credited with inspiring Antonio to take the leap into the ring . “Already, he’s showing a remarkable boxing IQ.”

“Antonio has a good personality. He's smart, so he can be whatever he wants to be.”

Antonio, too, is crafty and clever in the squared circle. Yet, he is even smarter, more astute in the classroom, according to his teacher, Kirsten Campano.

“He's liked by all his classmates and brings a lot of positive energy to the classroom,” Campano said. “He's a bright student who loves to participate in class, and I know I can always count on him to volunteer, and share his ideas.” 

“He's also very supportive of his classmates. And is always the first to congratulate them when they do well in class, whether it's during a review game or their classwork.” 

So far, he’s been racking up A’s and B’s with the same kind of consistency as wins in the ring. While physical education is his favorite class, he doesn’t shy away from the complexities of math and science.

“It's been more than just about boxing,” his grandfather said. “It's been about experiencing some other things, traveling, experiencing life and recognizing that there’s a whole world out there. As his grandfather, I want to understand there’s more to life than fighting.”

“However, he needs to commit totally if he wants to compete for titles. We want him to do the right stuff, train hard – that will keep him on the straight and narrow.”

Duncan has taught his grandson something about selflessness, too. He digs deep into his pockets to ensure his young protege has every opportunity to succeed, every opportunity to mature as a fighter and young man.             

But there’s a price to gaining experience, particularly with road trips. Antonio’s handlers, mostly his grandfather, are looking to secure sponsors and donors to help further his boxing career.

“We’ve been diligent with money, but I’m going to do what it takes, spend what it takes to get better,” Duncan said. “Maybe I can sell some popcorn or something, but we’ll keep trying to raise funds. We’ll keep trying to pull something together, which is how we were able to afford to enter the tournament in Las Vegas.”

He drove to Tulsa, Oklahoma but that’s not an option for the trip to Texas. “I’m too old to drive to Texas,” said Duncan, 56. 

While Antonio’s uncle is partly his motivation, his passion for the sport was heightened as he watched YouTube videos of Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr., and other great champions.

“I remember when I started going back to the gym, he wanted to go with me,” Duncan said. “I said, ‘we'll see how you like it.’ ”

So far, so good. He’s loving the sport with each bout – win or lose.

“I get to punch people, and I can’t get into trouble for it,” said Antonio, who listens to R&B and hip-hop, “mostly Tupac and Biggie” prior to his bouts. “I think I'm good at it.” 

“I'm a boxer puncher, and I stay on my toes. I’m fast, and I’m a pretty good combination of punches. I like using the jab, because I can fight defensively while being aggressive.”

“I’ve learned to keep my hands up after throwing a punch. It’s important for me to keep moving after I throw a punch,” said Antonio, who is rather slight of hand as a point guard on Betty Jane’s basketball team. “I just try not to make too many mistakes.”

Whatever the mistakes, he’s learned and adjusted. And all that hard work, the gut-checking and sweating, is paying dividends for a student who represents APS with both books and boxing gloves in his fast, powerful hands.

Ring of Honor

• National junior Olympic silver medalist
• Junior Golden Gloves 
• Silver medalist
• Won the gold medal at the USA National Open Championships