"He's ready to turn pro,"
"He's got to the point where I believe that he can trust himself. I think he could do very well in the pros."
"real boxing skills and will go far."
"He embodies that Oakland fighting style that I think you can only pick up from being in the gyms for a decade plus,"
Thomas McElroy Jr., 19, trains at Lightning's Boxing Club in Oakland and demonstrates fast, calculated punches and strong defensive movement while shadowboxing. He ranked second in USA Boxing's elite male 143-pound division and moved up to compete at 154 pounds in the 2025 USA Boxing National Open in Tulsa, winning his opening bout. Coach Kris "Lightning" Lopez believes McElroy is ready to turn pro, citing increased self-trust and professional potential. McElroy attended a Team USA select camp in Colorado Springs and received praise from former champion James "Lights Out" Toney. He reflects a distinctive Oakland gym-honed fighting style.
Read at The Oaklandside
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