Bradford’s Charlie Fitzsimmons finally achieved his goal.

Fitzsimmons won the heavyweight division at the Ringside World
Amateur Boxing Championships in Kansas City, Mo., Aug. 1-5.

Fitzsimmons came into the event as an underdog. Most of the
1,300 registered boxers from 20 countries in the competition had
more than 100 fights under their belt.

However, Fitzsimmons had a lifetime record of 7-3.

“In experience, I was the low man on the totem pole,”
Fitzsimmons noted.

In his first match, Fitzsimmons defeated Alberto Gomez from
Texas in a unanimous three-round decision. Gomez (117-34) had
previously fought in the Olympic Trials.

“It was surprising to hear about this boxer’s credentials after
I fought him,” Fitzsimmons stated. “Defeating this guy gave me a
lot of confidence toward winning the championship.”

Fitzsimmons then lost his second bout to William Moss in a close
decision. After the loss he was matched up with powerful Adriel
Lopez from the Bronx, N.Y.

“This guy’s nose was as flat as a wall,” Fitzsimmons described.
“You could tell he had some experience.”

Fitzsimmons took the challenge very seriously and recruited some
trainers from Michigan. They drew up a game plan and Fitzsimmons
was ready for the fight.

“He (Lopez) was a very muscular guy,” Fitzsimmons admitted. “We
had a feeling he was going to bully me so I had to make sure he
didn’t pin me against the ropes.”

Fitzsimmons was up to the challenge as he defeated Lopez
(three-round TKO).

“It was one of the happiest moments of my life,” he said. “Words
can’t describe it. It was a lifetime goal of mine.”

Several days later Fitzsimmons is still lifted from this
incredible experience. He plans on bringing kids into boxing and
someday becoming a trainer.

“I want to show kids that anything is possible,” Fitzsimmons
declared. “If I can do it anyone can.

“I want to thank my family for being there for me and supporting
me for doing what I love,” Fitzsimmons added.

Fitzsimmons gives a lot of credit to his trainers: J.R., Jim
Wilder and Mike Thome.

“Without these guys I couldn’t have done it,” Fitzsimmons
noted.

Making the title even more impressive was the fact Fitzsimmons –
an employee of Case Cutlery – was fighting injured. He travels to
Erie once a week for chiropractic assistance and massage therapy
for a groin injury.

“Without these doctors it would be impossible to fight,”
Fitzsimmons noted. “I consider these people a part of my team.”

Fitzsimmons also thanked the Rixford Evangelical Church for
their prayers and support.

“Their prayers and support have really strengthened me in all
that I have done,” he commented.

Over the last 15 years, Fitzsimmons, 36, has put forth a
determined effort to become a competitor in the ring.

He describes himself as a “real grinder.”

He works on his skills Monday through Saturday at the University
of Pittsburgh at Bradford, the Bradford YMCA and the Knock-out
Factory in Salamanca, N.Y.

Fitzsimmons, a 1988 graduate of Otto-Eldred High School, took
interest in boxing shortly after graduation. He started boxing in
Salamanca at the age of 21. He was trained by an Indian named Joe
Joe Redeye and has trained with boxing pro Joe Mesi of Buffalo,
N.Y.