R. J. Sockwell

I met R. J. Sockwell in a hot and makeshift gym adapted from a spare bay in a mechanic's garage about five or six years ago. He was about fifteen at the time and people were already losing interest in sparring with him. One night I watched with a combination of fascination and trepidation as he worked through about three or four very tough sparring partners. Not all of them were still standing. I declined to be the next one, citing old age. Old age was true but the fact is I couldn't have beat him at any age. He wants to maintain his amateur status for a while longer although he has done very well sparring with the pros. Like Raul "Junior" Salcido, R. J. helps train the more serious boxers at Jesse Harris Boxing.