Former professional boxer and Navy veteran Walter Swann was named the new president of the Dowagiac Rotary Club on Thursday.
The 80-year-old Swann has taught boxing in the Dowagiac area for more than 20 years since relocating from California, where he worked at a naval shipyard. A native of Salisbury, North Cariolina, Swann has taught at Muhammad Ali’s former practice boxing ring in Dowagiac, led the local Police Athletic League youth boxing program and started a boxing club at Southwestern Michigan College. He said he also occasionally helps out at the Born Champions Boxing Center in Benton Harbor.
Swann has been an active member of the Dowagiac Rotary Club for four years, and takes over as president for Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz.
