Moore, a Logan High School graduate and Verdunville native, is scheduled to box at the Toughman World Championships, June 25-26, in Oroville, Calif., located about an hour north from the state capital of Sacramento.
“It’s going to be pretty nice and it’s going to be a good experience for me,” Moore said. “I realize what I’ve got ahead of me. Everyone there is better or just as good as you. They are all champions there and they are there for the same reason.”
Moore boxed at the Toughman World Championships two years ago at Tunica, Miss., and had a 2-1 record.
“I placed in the top eight there and I’m glad to go back,” Moore said. “My buddy Carl Goff placed in the top 10 there, which was really good. I don’t think that he’s going to be able to make it this year due to a knee injury.”
Moore said he’s stepped up his training for the upcoming world tournament.
“I’m going to be fighting in the light heavyweight division which is 160 pounds to 184,” he said. “I’ve stepped up training a few notches in the last couple of weeks. I’m going to pick it up as time goes on. I’m going to try and work with some different people. I’ve got the same trainer, Daniel Hensley, and I’m going to be working with him. I’ve worked with him for about 10 years.”
As an 18-year-old high school senior in 2006, Moore first boxed at the Coal Area Toughman Boxing Contest and won the men’s light heavyweight championship at Logan High School’s Willie Akers Arena.
The next year in 2007, Moore successfully defended his title. After spending a year away from the Toughman in 2008, Moore returned to box at the Logan Toughman last November in the men’s heavyweight division. Moore, however, was upset on the second night of the tournament by Charleston’s Matt Garrettson in a split decision and never got a chance to fight for a third title.
Moore had to move up in weight divisions due to Toughman rules which state that a boxer can only win two championships in a given weight class.
“I was upset back in November in my hometown,” Moore said. “But I give the guy credit. He was a pretty good fighter. I didn’t think I fought the best fight but that’s part of it and it happens. I just accepted it and went on. I hope to come back next November and claim my last title here at home. If I win at the worlds in June I’m still eligible to come back at Logan next November in the heavyweight division. Hopefully I can win that title.”
After losing last fall at the Toughman, Moore returned to the ring and got a bit of redeption as he won the men’s heavyweight championship at the Rough ‘N Rowdy Brawl, held this past February at the Williamson Memorial Fieldhouse.
“I redeemed myself,” Moore said. “I went over to Williamson, February 3 and 4, and stayed in the heavyweight division. I weighed in at 204 pounds. To be honest, I didn’t train much at all and fought just about as good as I have ever fought before. I stayed relaxed and I knew that I didn’t have anything to lose. I just took that into the ring with me and I ended up doing a better job.”
Moore said he loves the competition and excitement boxing provides but says he has no interest in making a career of it.
“I like to box but I don’t think I want to pursue a pro career,” he said. “I’ve got a few things established now because I work. But I’ve got room for one more title and I hope to get it right here at home next fall. I hope to go to the world championships, too, and be a world champion.”
Moore was a football and basketball player in his days at Logan High School but was best known for his stint with the LHS baseball team.
Moore was an all-state second baseman and shortstop for the Wildcats from 2004-07 and played on Logan’s 2005 Class AA state championship team. As a freshman back in 2004 he made statewide headlines as he ripped a home run at spacious Watt Powell Park.
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