Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson, Professional Boxer

• City Springs Elementary/Middle School, Class of 2014
• Graduated from Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School (Mervo), Class of 2018
• World Champion, ages 10-18
• Gold Medalist, Junior Olympics
• Silver Medalist, World Cup
• Professional record, 14-2-0
• Founder, Joshua Carroll Foundation

We spoke with professional boxer and proud City Springs alumnus, Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson, about his career, how City Springs inspired him – and continues to support him – and how he’s giving back to his school and to Baltimore.

Q: How did City Springs prepare you?

The experience was tremendous for me and a lot of my peers. The teachers and staff gave us a lot of love and that home feeling that some of us might not have been getting at home. At the same time, we got a lot of responsibility and experiences such as field trips, speakers, and activities that other schools don’t get. 

Q: Talk about your connection with Dr. Rhonda Richetta, City Springs’ Principal.

She’s like another mother to me. We’re very close. She cares so much and is so genuine. She hasn’t missed one of my fights in years. She’s probably seen 40 of my fights. 

Q: When did you start boxing?

I started when I was seven in 2007 at the Upton Boxing Center in West Baltimore where I grew up. My family then moved to the Flag House Courts down the street from City Springs. When I first started boxing, nobody at City Springs knew that I boxed. I was really shy. When I became number one in the country around age 11, Dr. Richetta announced it to the school. I was embarrassed.

I began boxing because I had a really bad anger problem from losing my dad young. [His father was killed during a home invasion in 2004.] I would fight a lot at school and at home. Whenever I argued, I fought. When I began boxing, I started learning how to be disciplined and humble. My biggest passion for the sport is that I can channel myself and get away from everything. Being in the ring is where I am most comfortable.

I won nationals until I was 18, and then I turned pro. My mom moved us to Baltimore County for high school, but I went to high school for a few years in Colorado Springs when I was training for the Junior Olympics. After I won gold at the Junior Olympics, I graduated from Mervo. (Read about his Junior Olympics experience in the Baltimore Sun.)

Q: How did you get your nickname?

The first day I ever boxed, the coach kept telling me to come forward like a truck. I have a big head, and he told me to keep moving it forward. The name stuck.

Q: You are starting a nonprofit, the Joshua Carroll Foundation. Tell us about it.

It honors my uncle Joshua Carroll who passed away in 2020 due to gun violence. He was a great man who would help everyone. I wanted to start something that would be a resource and fun activities for kids who’ve lost loved ones to gun violence and violence like me. I want them to be with other people that have been through something that they’ve been through and feel better about it.

Gun violence and violence are deep things in my life. I feel really passionate about helping people. One of the first things we’re doing is hosting a Back-to-School Event for City Springs on August 17th. We are going to have food, fun activities, haircuts, hairdos, have raffle drawings, and have people there that kids can talk to. I want the foundation to be as big as it can be, but we’re starting in Baltimore cause that’s where I’m from. 

A lot of people that come from violent environments react with violence. For me, boxing was the perfect thing [to address this], but it can be anything that you put your anger in to drive it to something positive. Whatever someone’s passion is, I want them to channel that focus into something better. (Follow the Joshua Carroll Foundation on Instagram @j_c_foundation.)

Q: What do you hope the students at City Springs take from your life and example?

I want them to know that they can do it. I know that we face a lot of things coming up, but they can push and reach their goals. I was one of them. There’s no better example to somebody than someone who was in their shoes, understands them, and has been there.

Q: What’s next for your career?

I am fighting on ESPN in November, climbing the ranks, and hope to have the world title, maybe next year. I am going to continue to do things for City Springs, too, because it’s been a tremendous step in my life. 

Follow Lorenzo on Instagram @lorenzo_simpson.