Denver's Louie Byrd now a 3-time National Golden Gloves Champion

The Backyard Brawlers Boxing Club of Denver, Colorado can now boast one of their members is a 3-time National Golden Gloves Champion.

19 year-old "King" Louie Byrd put his name in a place of royalty this past Saturday night with a convincing 5-0 victory over Santos Vasquez of Nevada claiming the title in the 108 pound division.

Byrd has already caught the eye of the amateur boxing purists from around the world as his both national and international experience grows.

Having had the opportunity to enjoy Louie's progress in the ring has also given me the chance to watch him grow from a boy into a young man.

He had a period of "thinking I knew it all" and had to come to the reality that "the grass appearing to be greener on the other side" is not always the case.

In a chance meeting at say the mall or grocery store, the unassuming Byrd would escape your thoughts as being nothing more than your average, everyday, shopping teenager.  

Louie Byrd is anything but your average, everyday teenager.

Respectful and, unlike alot of athletes today, humble when speaking of himself, Byrd has no need for the bragging self-promoting antics some feel necessary. That is something that will never be a part of Team Louie Byrd.

Louie's coach is his dad, Jeff Byrd, but don't think that fact gives Louie any special treatment.

When in the gym working out, "coach Byrd" and "dad" are polar opposites as gym time is work time and there is no grey area between the two. 

"Louie trains hard and I push him when he needs to be pushed. He started boxing back in 2001 and that was because of his sister and her using the sport to train and stay in shape. Louie played football, wrestled and a little baseball but boxing is what kept his attention", said Jeff Byrd. 

The affectionate and obviously special bond between this father and son team of Jeff and Louie Byrd is what makes sports in general the wonderful and life blessing gift that we should all see it as.  

Louie says that what kept him interested in boxing was the training and staying in shape aspect of the sport but when it became apparent he was pretty good, his dad Jeff laid down the law as to what would be expected of him.  

"My dad is my biggest fan and supporter", said Louie. "His inspiration to always do my best both in and out of the ring has made me the person I am today. He lets me know when I'm messing up and puts me right back in line".

"I love the opportunity to travel the world that boxing has given me and my mom and dad", says Louie. "I've been to places I never thought of visiting and and I owe all of that to boxing". 

When asked what was something people might consider unusual about himself, Louie dropped this bombshell  on me.

"I enjoy reading and write a little poetry. It's relaxing to read and trying to understand someones thoughts in a way that really captivates my attention and I just kind of got me hooked", was Louie Byrd's reply.

In the 2012 Olympic Games held in London, England, the city of Denver, Colorado will have representing both us and the USA a young man we should be proud of because he is the epitome of  representing his country in the Olympic Games.

I guarantee you the name "King" Louie" Byrd is one you will always associate with pride, dignity, and most importantly love of family.

And by the way, it will be a relatively short 2 years before Olympic Boxing Champion will soon be what everyone in the world, not only team members of the Backyard Brawlers Boxing Club will call "King" Louie Byrd. 

Stephen Johnson writes for Inside Boxing,com, Until the Next Round.com and co-hosts Inside Boxing LIVE!