TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Preparing For A Fight At Tampa Precinct

Tribune photo by JULIE BUSCH

Boxer Marquis Davis likes to work out near the voting booths, but he's not registered to vote, his trainer said.

ADVERTISEMENT

By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 4, 2008

11:45 a.m.: As voters flow into the Fair Oaks Recreation Center, Precinct 325, all morning, 19-year-old Marquis Davis has a different mission.

In the far corner of the property, he works under an oak tree, circling a punching bag hanging from the dead limb of an oak tree. His footwork wears a circle in the sand. The bag swings with each dull punch.

Trainer Larry Berrien, who is wearing an "I Voted" sticker on his dark blue pullover, watches.

"He's going to be good," Berrien promises. Davis is not distracted by the conversation. He's like a machine. Jab. Step. Jab. Step right. Step left.

Davis is training for a tournament in Fort Myers this weekend. Berrien said he has been training Davis for almost two years. The boxer isn't voting today. He didn't get his registration in on time, Berrien says.

They come to this tree often to train, he says.

"I like the fresh air," Berrien says. "I don't like being in a gym. We like nature."

Cars carrying voters from the precinct drive by and they slow to watch.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT