We've seen a lot of former three-time world champion William Joppy, Jr. these days as a trainer working with boxers like Jimmy Lange. However, Joppy has been fighting a bigger opponent than his days battling the likes of Julio Cesar Green, Roberto Duran or Felix Trinidad. Joppy is doing his part to defeat the scourge of homelessness.
Earlier this year, Joppy started an organization called Breakfast with Boxers in which the representatives serve warm meals, stage boxing demonstrations and offers words of encouragement to residents in homeless shelters.
The 42-year-old Joppy, who retired in 2011 with a record of 40-7-2, 30 KO's, wondered what the next phase of his life would consist of after his boxing days were over.
"I asked God," Joppy said. "The idea of feeding the homeless and giving them hope crystallized."
Now Joppy combines his former job with his current passion -- to help the poor and the downtrodden.
"Am I my brother's keeper? Joppy asks in a press release. "Yes, I am."
If you would like to help Breakfast with Boxers -- either by donation or by volunteering -- you can call 703-400-3016 or go to the website www.breakfastwithboxers.com
AWESOME! A number of years ago I went to Atlantic City to watch Joppy when he fought Bernard Hopkins. On that same show Hasim Rahman fought John Ruiz, Corey Spinks fought Ricardo Mayorga, Zab Judah fought, Wayne Braithwaite fought, and Rosendo Alvarez fought as well. We stayed at Bally's and the fighters stayed there as well. On the morning of the fight my wife and I had breakfast at the cafe in Bally's. We had already finished and were coming out and there was a line a mile long. I noticed William Joppy was one of the people standing in line. I mean, here's a guy who is fighting in the Main Event of an internationally televised show and he's standing in line just like everyone else. Management from the hotel tried to get him to cut in line and serve him first. Joppy said simply, "No, I'm fine. I'll wait, I'm not going to starve to death." From that little coversation that I overheard that told me all you need to know about William Joppy. That guy is alright!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the anecdote! Joppy is and always has been a class act in my book!!
ReplyDeleteIt's all for the press sloppy is a crack head....he would have been did this man sit yo ass down in my mean man voice....lol
ReplyDeleteHatin ass bamas on here
Deleteway to go champ,i wish you the best
ReplyDeletecoach kenny,team upton
Excellent endeavor!!
ReplyDelete