Doug Lord, Golden Gloves, Then & Now...

When Rusty Russell's great-grandson was watching a mixed martial arts event in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in early 2009, he was surprised to discover that Doug Lord was a judge at the fight. For those who know Lord, it was no surprise.

Lord, one of the characters in Twelve Mighty Orphans, was one of the smallest kids on the Mighty Mites football team but was a born ringleader and he talked four of his buddies into going to the Will Rogers Colliseum in Fort Worth where the Golden Gloves were being held and they all signed up to fight, forging parental permission forms. There, with a mouthpiece he picked up off the floor and one pair of tennis shoes - both shared among all the buddies - he fought a man almost ten years his senior and although he went to the final bell, his opponent won. One of Lord's Home buddies, Ray Musselwhite, made it all the way to be crowned champion of the Golden Gloves.

Doug Lord over the past 50 years has continued to be involved with Texas Golden Gloves and professional and amateur boxing. He was the manager of World Welter Weight Champion Curtis Cokes, who was known for his training regimen. Lord, having been taught with the Mighty Mites how to be best prepared to go into a contest, would have brought those skills to prepare Cokes for his matches.

He continues to be a boxing judge at ring side in fights throughout Texas. Lord was honored at the 2008 Golden Gloves by his ex-fighters, fans and friends. The trophy presented to him read: Doug, thanks for all you did to make the Golden Gloves a great success.

Texas has had a very large share of National Golden Glove Champions and Lord's consistent contribution over the years to the sport has helped make Fort Worth a strong center for this sport.