FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 22, 2014) -- Three boxing teams squared off with a total of 14 bouts at a USA Boxing sanctioned event during a Golden Age-themed Ballroom Boxing extravaganza Oct. 18 at the Uchee Creek Activity Center.
The event featured bouts between the Fort 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.
This tournament provided "camaraderie between the Soldiers from different installations," and gave the Benning Boxing Club the opportunity to settle a dispute with the Fort Jackson Boxing Club from January Boxing Smoker at Fort Jackson, Folds said.
The Benning Boxing Club took their belt back, while the USMA men's boxing team walked away with the overall win.
Gavin Chapman, Benning Boxing Club's head coach, said they are warriors at heart.
"Boxing is a warrior sport, so it's only right that we make the connection and make it happen," he said.
The team's battled against each other in three two-minute rounds and were awarded with medals from senior personnel.
The Benning Boxing Club competed in 12 bouts and won 6, USMA competed in 8 bouts and won 7 and the Fort Jackson Boxing Club competed in 8 and won 2.
Joshua Meléndez, USMA, won with a TKO in the third round against Landon Wolf, Benning, in the novice 165 weight class.
Rio Wesson, Jackson, won by a majority decision with three rounds completed against Sosa Severiano, Benning, in the novice 165 weight class.
Kevin Butler, Benning, completed all three rounds and spanked Jarrid Robertson, Jackson, with a unanimous decision in the novice 165 weight class.
Marcus Herring, Benning, came out swinging and snuffed Derrick Hanna, USMA, with a first round TKO in the novice 155 weight class.
Jorge Perez, Jackson, defeated Andrew Gaskin, Benning, in the third round with a TKO, in the novice 170 weight class.
With a split decision in the first two rounds and a point deducted for hitting after the bell, Angel Reyes, USMA, walked away with the win in the third round against Fatai Sule, Benning, in the novice 155 weight class.
Tre Sherrill, USMA, completed all three rounds and beat Anthony Fye, Benning, with a unanimous decision in the novice 165 weight class.
Willie Gray, USMA, clobbered Brennon Steib, Jackson, in a two round TKO in the novice 190 weight class.
Ryan Gibeley, USMA, completed all three rounds and came out on top against Patrick Diehl, Benning, with a unanimous decision in the novice 201-plus weight class.
Prince Ellerby, Benning, pummeled Jason Bedoya, Jackson, in the second round with a TKO in the novice 201 weight class.
Timothy Lambert, Benning, beat Haqueen Solia, Jackson, in the third round with a majority decision in the novice 201-plus weight class.
Adam Kanavos, USMA, whipped up on Daniel Sprouse, Benning, for a unanimous decision in all three rounds in the novice 188 weight class.
Matt Whitcomb, USMA, crushed Vicente De La Roca, Jackson, in a three-round unanimous decision, in the novice 201-plus weight class.
Maximino Ramos, Benning, finished off the 14th bout with a unanimous decision win in three rounds against Taki Browning, Jackson in the Sr. Open 132 weight class.
Chapman said it was his boxers never quit attitude that assisted with taking the belt back.
"I think we did great," he said. "They applied all the skills I taught them. I wish I could (have been) in the ring with them. They did what was necessary to win, to pull out this victory for Fort Benning."
Chapman, a former boxer for USMA, said it's great to be able to come back and fight his previous coach.
"(It's) friendly competition," he said.
Chapman said his team will focus on conditioning for future bouts.
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