Fellow athletes mourn champion boxer fatally struck by car in Old Bridge
Davon Porter was hit by a car around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday while trying to cross Route 9 in Old Bridge
More Stories
A champion boxer was struck and killed by a car over the weekend in Middlesex County.
According to police, Davon Porter was hit by a car around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday while trying to cross Route 9 in Old Bridge. They said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His death left his fellow athletes to mourn the loss of a legend.
"When you spar someone, it's like a conversation that doesn't need to be spoken with words," said Tyric Trapp, a competitive boxer and friend of Porter's. "When you spar, energy goes a long way. Just off the sparring alone, I could tell just how driven he was and how bad he wanted it."
Porter boxed at Gleason's Gym Jersey Shore in Long Branch. His coaches told News 12 he was focused on training until the very last night of his life.
"I was working with him in the ring, showing him what punches to throw, what he needed to improve on, his foot movement, and we worked until about 8:30 Friday night," said Denard Trapp.
Jacklyn Atkins, the founder of Gleason's Gym, said Porter's last moments in the gym were spent being cheered on by his coaches and fellow boxers.
"We all hug, say our goodnights, see you tomorrow. Unfortunately, tomorrow did not come for Davon," she said.
Atkins said she started making calls Saturday morning when she found out what happened to Porter.
"It felt not real. I walked in where we're usually at. I used to see him in that corner, his bag in that corner," said Elijah Ghzi, also a boxer at Gleason's. "I waited for him to walk in, and knowing he's not going to be here with us anymore, physically, it's a lot of pain."
Porter's fellow competitors aren't the only ones who will miss him around Gleason's. They said he was active in teaching and mentoring students at the gym as well.
"I just wish it didn't happen," said Jayden Whitley, Porter's mentee. "He just had this positive energy around him. I want to be somebody like that when I'm older for other people. That's what he did for me."
Those who knew and loved Porter told News 12 he redefined what it means to be a champion.
"Without the verb, there is no adjective. To champion a generation, to champion a cause, to champion certain characteristics," said boxer Jonathan Gordon. "Von was a champion because of what he decided to champion. He championed hard work. He championed being a friend. He championed being of service to others."
