A lot of fight in him

The best things in life are worth fighting for.

Just ask Justin Williams.

The Murphey Middle School pupil came away this past weekend with a national boxing title. Defeating the best 119-pound 12- and 13-year-olds from across the country, Justin won the National Silver Gloves Championships, held in Independence, Mo.

There's a chance you could find a young boxer with a love of the sport greater than Justin's, but we wouldn't recommend wasting your time on that. He positively lives for boxing, and it shows in every punch he throws.

"He eats, sleeps, drinks, breathes boxing," said Tom Moraetes, who heads the Augusta Boxing Club on Walton Way. "I'll look up, he's not even supposed to be here, and he shows up at the front door."

That strong work ethic, combined with natural talent and the unwavering support of his mother, is the simple recipe for Justin's continuing success. Moraetes even believes that Justin is bound for the Olympics, and Moraetes should know - he's coached some of the most talented athletes in the world, including internationally ranked boxers Vernon Forrest and Rayonte Whitfield, both Augustans.

Could Justin be the next big boxing star to emerge from the Garden City? At the rate he's going, we certainly think so. This young man should be congratulated for being such a superior athlete - and a good sport.