High school boxer wins title belt in his first bout

ASHEBORO — Milton Muro is proof positive what can be accomplished when a student-athlete sets his mind to achieve a certain goal.

The Asheboro High School junior competed in his first certified boxing competition last week in Wilmington, and with the guidance of local boxing coach Lewis Baldwin, captured the championship belt in his first competition.

It was the moment Muro decided to put his all into boxing when he started to see the possibilities.

“I used to box with my dad,” Muro said. “I’ve been coming here (Central Gym) since about the eighth grade, where I would go for a while and then not go. I wanted to fight, so I started really going just before the beginning of summer, not missing a day.”

Workouts are every Monday and Thursday at the Central gym, beginning at 6 p.m. Baldwin said he’ll have between one and eight boxers at each workout.

After months of work, Muro applied and was certified and was given his first official match last week at the Sting Like a Bee competition in Wilmington.

“I was definitely nervous, but I wasn’t scared,” Muro said. “I trained pretty hard for it. I knew it was for a belt and it made me want it even more. I zoned in.”

Baldwin gave some great advice Muro’s corner and the young boxer did everything he could to implement that advice.

“I told him after the second round this fight is close and if you want it, you have to take it and he won by unanimous decision,” Baldwin said. “I was telling him things from the corner and he would try it. Sometimes it would come out good and sometimes it wouldn’t. But he was trying.”

Muro said he watched the video of the match after it was over.

“I saw the video and I can hear everyone screaming for me,” he said. “My friend, my coach. When I was in the ring, I didn’t hear one word. It was just me and the one dude. It felt great because the hard work paid off. My first belt. I’m going to keep pushing, keep getting more.”

Baldwin said that is a very real possibility if Muro applies himself.

“I am impressed with his punching,” said Baldwin, who has been running the boxing “club” in Asheboro for more than 40 years. “The way he was throwing punches. He can change up a little. He showed some good skills and now he has to hone those skills. He moves good and he listens.

“Anybody who wants to work out, you have to dedicate yourself to do that,” Baldwin added. “It takes time and heart. He has that heart.”

Muro spends a lot of time outside the gym. There is plenty of conditioning. There’s even more when he arrives at the Central Gym twice per week as well as footwork drills and punching bag work.

It all paid off last week.

“He was on cloud nine,” Baldwin said. “He was really happy. I was, too. I told him how proud I was and I meant it. Hopefully, that will make him want to train more.”

Muro is currently getting ready for his second fight, which is scheduled for Oct. 4 in Greensboro.

“There’s definitely going to be more bouts, more matches,” Muro said. “This is a great place to come if you want to learn how to box. He’s a great coach and it’s free. He’s a good mentor. He’s there for you.”