Greg Street has been a staple in Atlanta’s hip-hop community for more than 20 years. Since 2008, Street has helped to intertwine Atlanta’s hip-hop scene with the sport of boxing by being a part of the Golden Gloves boxing competition.
The Golden Gloves and the USA Boxing Championships are the two most prestigious amateur boxing tournaments in the USA. The competition provides the first opportunity for Georgia boxers to advance toward qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.
Street recently spoke about his involvement with the Golden Gloves boxing championship and his love for boxing. –amir shaw
How did you become a part of the Golden Gloves?
This is my third year being involved with boxing in Georgia. Coach Byron Oglesby, who runs the youth and adult boxing program at Metro Fitness, and Terrance (MARKI Entertainment) approached me with the concept of bringing more exposure, entertainment and support to amateur boxing in Georgia. I’ve always been a fan of boxing and youth athletics. So, we just took it from there.
How long have you been a fan of boxing?
Since I was a kid. I grew up watching fighters like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson. Now, I follow the careers of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
How does this event benefit the youth and community?
The event raises money for the Georgia Amateur Boxing Association, Metro Fitness Youth Program and for travel, hotel accommodations and uniforms for the Golden Glove champions who will advance toward 2012 Olympic qualification. Programs like this are important for the community because they provide another outlet for youth to be physically active in an organized way that encourages discipline, hard work and the ability to deal with adversity.
There is a great relationship between hip-hop and basketball. How does hip-hop connect with boxing?
Music and sports go hand-in-hand, and boxing is no different. Boxers have always had a close relationship with hip-hop. It goes back to Mike Tyson and Tupac and, now, you see 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather doing business deals and films together.
