Busta’s Person of the Week: ‘Mama said, knock you out’

By Busta Brown

The lyrics from a LL Cool J classic, “I’m gonna knock you out … Mama said knock you out,” is the best way to describe up-and-coming boxing star Edward D. Hood, Jr. of Winston-Salem. Hood’s mother is legendary boxer Carlette Ewell, who is the Women’s International Boxing Association Light Heavyweight World Champion and Women’s International Boxing Council Light Heavyweight World Championship.

Edward’s superstar mother holds seven belts and on June 18, 2016, she was inducted into the Boxing Legends Hall of Fame. Now mama is training her son to knock’em out.

Edward shared a story about when he was struggling during a boxing match and mama said, “tough it up and knock him out or you gonna lose.” “After I heard that from her, I knew I had to turn on the engines and let’s go to work.” They call him Lucky Lefty Hook and with good reason.

His professional debut in the cruiser weight division is impressive, with a record of 4-0 with 3 knockouts. As an amateur he was 10-1 with 8 knockouts, so it’s clear he has a mean left hook. What’s more impressive is this tough and talented boxer credits his mother for his success.

“When I was a little kid, I watched my mom do what she did, fighting while she was sick in title fights, still being able to perform, and she came out on top.”

Strong women play a big part in Edward’s motivation. “When I make the big money, I’ll donate to breast cancer awareness, because my grandmother died of breast cancer. I’ll also rebuild my mom’s gym from ground up, add on to her house, and then whatever she wants after that.” His mom was in the gym during the interview and, of course, after hearing that, she was all smiles.

Edward said having his mom as his coach and training at her gym keeps him humble and helps tremendously with building self-discipline. “He’s been watching me box since he was five years old. When I was training, I would set him up with a punching bag and tell him to hit it and don’t stop ‘til I stop,” said his mother Carlette Ewell.

Ewell is also the owner of Triad Boxing and Fitness Club in Winston-Salem, where she trains her son Edward, Jr. and other boxers like Joy Thorndburg, former Wake Forest football star Wendell Dunn, and up-and-coming boxing star Darwin Mariche. The  women’s world champ trains amateurs and professionals, and is an adviser to the international boxing community.

Ewell said she loves coaching boxers, but coaching her son is tough, “because he’s trying to mentally separate the personal and professional, but what I’m doing is helping him understand that it doesn’t matter, he still needs to respect both positions.”

I looked at Edward afterward and he was smiling; he truly admires his mom. But watching his mom box as a kid is not the only reason Edward decided to box; there’s another and maybe more vital reason: “Trying to change my life, be somebody better.” He said training is his saving grace. “I can box all day and all night. As long as I’m boxing, I’m not getting in trouble. I’m in a sport I hit somebody and not go to jail for it.” He said in boxing he can release all of his stress and after a fight, “I go hug my opponents and greet their coaches, because it’s all love to me. Because down the road we may need each other and I don’t mind helping another fighter. I want to have a positive reputation in the business.”

I told him those are the words of the people’s champion, and again his softer side came out with a big smile. I asked what are the two most important changes that are needed to become the best Edward D. Hood Jr. He looked into the camera with a vulnerable expression and then slowly looked down. When he looked back into the camera, that vulnerable spirit was still with him, along with a warm smile. “My attitude and self-discipline.” I asked him to describe his style of boxing. “My style is like George Forman and my power is like Mike Tyson.”

I wouldn’t want to be in the ring with Lucky Lefty Hook. Edward D. Hood Jr. was a star football player for North Forsyth High in Winston-Salem and mom was his conditioning coach there as well. In 9th grade he received MVP honors on their division championship JV team. He was on varsity as a sophomore and junior and received Game Ball Player of the Year honors as a senior. Edward was undefeated his junior year in wrestling. “He’s always been a great athlete.

I’ve always taught him to work at being the best in everything he does,” his mom said.

Edward’s next fight is Dec. 15 at Triad Stage in Greensboro at 7 p.m. Bell time is at 8 p.m.

Go to The Chronicle’s YouTube Channel at Winstonsalem Chronicle to see the rest of my interview with Edward D. Hood Jr. and his mother Carlette Ewell. You’ll see Edward training, hear the impact of his powerful left hook on the punching bags, and more. And Carlette Ewell talks about her big comeback fight, the importance of Adopt-a-Highway, and more.

For more info on the dynamic duo, call (336) 406-8533.