The world of boxing is a fiercely brutal, aggressive
and competitive sport where more people often quit and never become a champion.
Take one look at Anthony Suggs, Sr. and it’s a sure bet, dangerous is not the
first word that comes to your mind. Some of his opponents may have a vastly
different opinion. “I used to feel so sorry for my opponents because I’d beat
them so badly in the ring and then want to hug them,” says Anthony Suggs, Sr.,
known to many as Tony “Da Beast” Suggs, Sr.
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| Anthony Suggs, Sr. at a boxing gym in Maryland (Photo Courtesy of Jeff Ray) |
What his opponents in the mid-to-late
80s didn’t know was the aggressive blows Suggs threw in the ring were
camouflaging scars no one could see. “I grew up in tough conditions and my
family was very dysfunctional,” says Suggs, Sr. During the mid-to-late ‘80s, Suggs, Sr. was a rising
boxing star with trophies and belts piling up in his house. “I had my mind set
on winning a gold medal in the 1988 Olympics,” says Suggs.
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| photo courtesy of Anthony Suggs, Sr. |
Within hours of his
scheduled bout, sure to take him closer to the gold that year, the unimaginable
dimmed the light on Suggs’ road to success. “When my daughter died I was very
angry because I felt like God already knew how much I’d suffered as a kid and I couldn't understand why he’d want me to suffer as a man,” says Suggs, Sr.
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| photo courtesy of Anthony Suggs, Sr. |
His infant daughter, the new pride and joy of his
life, died of sudden infant death syndrome. Her untimely death put Suggs on a
personal and professional toxic roller coaster. The man many lauded for years, sadly,
landed in an Alexandria, VA jail cell numerous times for selling drugs. Ultimately, Suggs hit rock bottom as a crack
addict. “I finally realized my arms were way too short to box with God,” says
Suggs, Sr.
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| Anthony 'Da Beast" Suggs, Sr. outside of the Alexandria, VA County Jail (Photo Courtesy of Jeff Ray) |
The Alexandria, Virginia Hall of Fame boxer is a
legend in his community. Everyone from local politicians and ministers to
inmates, family and friends admire Suggs’ tenacity and his road to redemption. Nearly 25 years after coming within hours of
his chance to bring home the gold, Suggs, Sr.’s athletic dream may have been
deferred but his determination to live a clean and happy life is at its peak. These
days, he walks the halls of the Alexandria County Jail, as a mentor and
motivational speaker on a mission. “I think the worst thing you can do is tell
yourself you can do the time because then you’ll definitely return,” says Suggs,
Sr.
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| Poster still for "Out of the Ring; Still in the Fight" |
His life story is the subject of “Out of the
Ring; Still in the Fight,” a documentary that candidly puts a microscope
on his success, struggles, sacrifice and setbacks. “I feel my story is strong
and it will reach all of the people it’s supposed to reach. I’m not hiding
anything,” says Suggs, Sr.
The film is currently in post-production and is being produced by Southern Belle
Productions, a Washington, D.C. area independent film company. Maniko Barthelemy
is the executive producer and CEO of Southern Belle Productions. For more information about the
film and Anthony “Da Beast” Suggs, log on to the film’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OutOfTheRingStillInTheFight.
We've included a short clip from the film for you to view.
We've included a short clip from the film for you to view.
Feel
free to e-mail your comments about this article directly to Maniko Barthelemy
at NewsHeels@gmail.com.
