When neighborhood bullies hindered her son Gene's attempts at a good education, she introduced him to the sport of boxing.

A few decades and 13 title fights later, the former middleweight champion is passing on that same introduction to young hopefuls throughout the West.

"My mother used to think if she got me tough, the girls wouldn't chase me home from school," Fullmer says. "I didn't get smart, but I did get tough."

The Hall of Fame boxer expects to share that story and more Saturday as the special guest for an amateur boxing night staged by the Rogue Valley Cougars Boxing Club at the Reston Hotel.

There will be 10 to 12 bouts Saturday, featuring the Cougars Boxing Club. Doors open at 7 p.m., with boxers scheduled to touch gloves beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Named by his mother after legendary boxer Gene Tunney, Fullmer's claim to fame came in January of 1957 when he went the full 15 rounds and beat Sugar Ray Robinson for the world middleweight championship.

Defending his title in a rematch five moths later, Fullmer was floored by Robinson's left hook in the fifth round.

It was the first and only knockout of Fullmer's professional career, although he doesn't remember much about it.

"Somebody turned the lights out," Fullmer recalls. "Then I found out it was him."

At Ring Magazine's 75th anniversary, Fullmer was given a belt bigger than the one he won for beating Robinson to acknowledge Fullmer's part in what the magazine deemed one of the best left hooks ever thrown.

"He threw the punch, but I caught it," the says the 67-year-old Fullmer. "That's not usually something to brag about, but since it happened, I'll brag about it anyway."

The bull-strong fighter from West Jordan, Utah, beat Robinson again in 1961 in their final bout against one another.

Fullmer retired from professional boxing in 1963 and has been president of the Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves Association since 1965.

Along with brothers Don and Jay, Fullmer runs a gym in Utah and takes his team to the National Golden Gloves tournament every year.

His near 35 years in amateur boxing and vast professional exploits have given Fullmer a tremendous insight into boxing. He hopes to pass on that insight with visits similar to the one bringing him to Medford.

"I think it makes an impression on kids to see someone who's made it high in boxing come out to talk to them," he says. "I know it did for me."

He recalled during a national Golden Gloves tournament years ago that a veteran fighter spoke to him.

Fullmer says beyond natural ability, one of the greatest attributes a boxer can have is self-discipline.

"Kids that are disciplined do well and kids that aren't don't do that well. It's that simple," he says.

At his gym in Utah, Fullmer and his brothers try to foster that discipline as well as provide sanctuary for youths.

"We just try to keep the kids out of trouble," he says, adding that boxing historically has benefited troubled youths. "They find out it hurts to get hit so then they don't want to fight outside the ring."

Fullmer learned that lesson the hard way as well at 6 when he and a neighbor boy each got their first boxing gloves. Although his neighbor could hit harder than Fullmer, the budding "West Jordan Mauler" never gave in to the pain.

That attitude served him well in a 1961 championship fight against Florentino Fernandez. Once again falling prey to a vicious left hook, Fullmer had his left arm broken in the 13th round. Undaunted, he fended off Fernandez with one arm in the last two rounds to retain his title.

"It was just a job," Fullmer says of his pro career. "I did my job as good as I could do it."

Providing he stays away from potential left hooks, Fullmer says he is looking forward to Saturday.

"I'm ready to go, but I've moved up to the heavyweight division," he says, laughing.

For ticket information or reservations, contact the White City Youth Boxing Foundation at 826-7260 or 826-4121.