FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 15, 2014) -- Step back into a 40s and 50s experience and attend the Ballroom Boxing event Oct. 18.
The USA Boxing-sanctioned event will feature bouts between the Benning Boxing Club, U.S. Military Academy men's boxing team and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Boxing Club to see who is the best boxing team in the Army, said Spencer Folds, sports specialist and event coordinator.
Hosted by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at the Uchee Creek Activity Center, the doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the first bout starts at 7 p.m.
"This sanctioned event by USA Boxing solidifies the whole tournament, which is huge," he said.
Along with providing for "camaraderie between the Soldiers from different installations," this tournament will give the Benning Boxing Club the opportunity to settle a dispute with the Fort Jackson Boxing Club from an earlier Boxing Smoker at Fort Jackson in January, Folds said.
"My guys will (also) get to see established boxers (from West Point which,) will hopefully make them better," he said. "It's an honor to have West Point coming down."
The Ballroom Boxing theme stems from how boxing events were executed during that era - when boxing became mainstream, Folds said.
"That's the way they boxed back then," he said. "It was a formal event (with) cigars, scotch (and the) people wore black ties."
Folds said dressing up for the event isn't mandatory, but it's recommended.
There will be food, beverages and cigars available for purchase, a sports bar, lounge area, VIP tent and the festive tent, where the ring will be, which will fit nearly 1,200 people, he said.
"We invited all the brigades to come out and represent their unit," Folds said. "The 198th has already committed to have 300 trainees come. Fort Jackson (and) West Point are bringing down a couple of VIPs."
The goal is to have a total of 16 bouts, he said, but the exact number of bouts won't be known until the boxers are weighed-in the morning of the tournament.
"There will be three two-minute rounds," Folds said. "After each bout the plan is (to have) senior personnel from Jackson, West Point or Benning award the winning boxer a medal. The (ultimate) winner will take home a belt."
Folds said MWR doesn't plan on hosting another boxing tournament on Fort Benning, but the Benning Boxing Club will box in tournaments within the Southeast next year.
The event is free and open to the public.
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