Grassroots News - Week of July 11
by USA Boxing
El Paso amateur boxer Moises Rodriguez wins Junior Olympic title
El Paso amateur boxer Moises Rodriguez won his sixth career national boxing championship on Saturday in Wichita, Kansas.
Rodriguez, who fights at 106 pounds, defeated Jair Aguilar-Sanchez of Nevada by unanimous decision over three rounds to claim the championship.
Rodriguez, who will be a sophomore at El Dorado, won all four of his fights in Kansas this week.
Nonprofit boxing club in River Ridge teaches discipline and toughness
An old machine shop in Harahan has been transformed into an expansive facility known as the Kingfish Boxing Club, a nonprofit providing free boxing instruction to children 8 to 18 years old who otherwise couldn't afford it.
The man behind the project is Axel Murillo, an experienced and USA Hall of Fame boxing coach and former owner of the Kenner Boxing Club.
Montana Boxer “JoJo” Martinez Wins Gold at Junior Olympics
She won the bronze. She won the silver. This year, she's going for the gold. And Billings, Montana's "JoJo" Martinez knocked it out. The soon-to-be 8th grader at Ben Steele Middle School just earned the gold medal at the USA Boxing National Junior Olympics.
I caught up with her dad Austin Schnizler for lunch before they left for Wichita, Kansas and he was very excited for what a win in Wichita could mean for JoJo's future.
50th annual National Junior Olympics held in Wichita, over 1,000 boxers competing July 9-16 at Century II
It's been a huge year for sporting events in Wichita, from NCAA Tournament action to US Figure Skating and now... USA Boxing.
Happening now until July 16 is USA Boxing's National Junior Olympics and Summer Festival at Century II.
It's the tournament's 50th year.
"This is my favorite tournament we do. It's life changing," Executive Director and CEO of USA Boxing Mike McAtee said.
Rishon Sims heads to USA Boxing Junior Olympics in Kansas
HARRISBURG, Pa. — When you walk into Capital Punishment Gym in Harrisburg, there is the familiar sound of speed bags, popping boxing gloves, and the rattle of chains in the air.
This week, there's a little more pep in the step of one fighter who is set to take on the big stage.
“He is a freak of nature," head coach Claudie Kenion told FOX43. "Sixteen-years-old, 6' 2", 185 to 190 pounds and he is solid.”