– Labor Tribune photo
Brothers Joshua and Jabril Temple, members of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 562, have boxing and unionism in their blood.
Joshua, 21, a student at the University of Michigan, and summer help part-time Pipefitter, is the 2014 USA Boxing National Champion and recently claimed the heavyweight title in the St. Louis City Golden Gloves. He is also the number one USA boxer for USA Boxing’s international team. His accomplishments were recognized on the floor of the Missouri House and Senate in March.
His brother Jabril, 27, a full-time pipefitter, took the super heavyweight title in the Golden Gloves.
That’s a first for St. Louis to have brothers claim both titles.
Their father, Willie Temple, a member of Local 562 for 39 years, was himself a boxer. He now helps coach his sons with Ben Stewart at Wohl Recreation Center.
Joshua and Jabril both came up through the Junior Olympic Program. Local 562 has long been a sponsor of the Golden Gloves and the Junior Olympics.
“We’ve had a bunch of Golden Gloves guys from our local,” Willie Temple said.
Jabril tried a couple years of college but ultimately decided to follow his father and become a pipefitter member of Local 562
Joshua wanted to do the same, but he said, “My dad wouldn’t let me.”
Not yet, Willie Temple said. He still has some work to do at school and in the ring.
“I want to be the next heavyweight champion,” Joshua said.
Right now, he’s hoping to make the 2016 Olympic team.
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