Vicenza BOSS hosts first Boxing Smoker at Del Din

VICENZA -- For the first time, the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program hosted a U.S. Army Boxing Smoker at Del Din Fitness Center Nov. 19 in partnership with U.S. Army Garrison Italy Sports, Fitness and Aquatics.

A total of 18 boxers from several units had the chance to compete in the ring in nine bouts from Light Middle to Super Heavyweight classes.

The event was also the last one for Sgt. Amanda Donohue, USAG Italy BOSS President, as she is leaving Vicenza for another duty station. Donohue said she started planning for the BOSS Boxing Smoker in April.

"I have assisted in the coordination of a few other sports and fitness events before this boxing smoker.

I have received a lot of positive feedback about it. Soldiers have said that experiencing this event not only made them want to start boxing themselves, but also made them love being in the Army just a little more," said Donohue.

Due to the lack of female fighters, the fifth match between Toyelle Rickson, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and Kaitlyne Kisner of Company B, 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade was not exactly a weight class.

"My opponent and I weighed in at the exact same weight, though. So I knew that our fight would be a good one," said Kisner.

"I actually had not prepared prior to the boxing smoker. However, I did do a few months' worth of training when I was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hoped I would find boxing opportunities when I found out I was PCS'ing to Italy," she continued.

Kisner was invited to fight the day before the event.

"I was a little nervous that I hadn't been training prior to being asked, but I knew that the skills that I had learned in Missouri would still benefit me. I have not participated in many organized sporting events similar to the boxing smoker; I am, however, certified in both Level 1 and Level 2 Modern Army Combatives and will be attending the Master Combatives course in Germany next year."

Kisner thought that her match was an interesting one.

"My opponent put up a very good fight, and the blood all over the ring from my nose and slight black eye were proof of that. She was taller than me by a couple of inches and had a much longer reach. It was (my) first fight (and hers) as well. She rung my bell quite a few times, but I hung in there for all three rounds," Kisner added.

After talking to many Soldiers in attendance, Kisner found out that they all agreed.

"They said it was a really good fight and that we both did fantastic. Looking back on it and watching videos, I now know what I need to work on for my next fight.

"I greatly appreciate the BOSS program and Sgt. Donohue for giving me the opportunity to get in the ring and throw some punches. I learned a lot about myself and what I need to work on for next time. I look forward to the next boxing smoker in the future," she said.

Donohue was impressed by the fight won by Rickson.

"Sgt. Rickson informed me, when she decided she wanted to fight a couple of days before the event, that she had never fought before," explained Donohue. "I was a little worried but I had an idea that she would probably pull something out and do really well. Both of them fought really well."

After winning her bout, Rickson said she felt more confident about competing.

"Right now, I feel like 'Million Dollar Baby,' the movie," said Rickson. "It was fun and it makes me want to actually get on a team, and if I can do it professionally, I will."

Following the Kisner-Rickson match was one between Andre Lucas, U.S. Army Africa, and Alexis Machado, Company D, 2nd-503rd, 173rd IBCT (A), won by Lucas.

Lucas said his motivation for boxing started because of a loss in his family.

"I started preparing for the BOSS Boxing Smoker in April. It started off as a joke to myself, then in May my mother passed away. It felt as though the world crumbled around me. How could I lose her?

A few weeks later, the grief really started to kick in. I felt lost and didn't want to go (down) a destructive path. So I started to pursue boxing as my aid to relief. I dedicated myself to making my life and job better in all the hopes of making my mother and son proud of me," Lucas said.

When Lucas first started, he said, it was in the Super Welterweight weight class, but after quitting smoking he said he gained weight and was moved to Middleweight.

"The match was a great experience. It showed that we both went through training and that we both had a plan to execute," Lucas added.

Lucas said the events provided by the BOSS program are instrumental in developing a healthy relationship within the Vicenza Military Community.

"I personally look forward to continuing being involved if time permits, whether it is basketball, football, softball or any major event," Lucas said.

After the event, Jimmy Roddy, USAG Italy Sports, Fitness and Aquatics director, talked about its success. "The Boxing Smoker was a great event. We held a referee and judges' clinic two evenings of that week and used the smoker as the practicum for the clinic. BOSS went out and got the ring, and got all the boxers together, so we could have this awesome event. We hope this was a start for more to come."

Following are the participants of the BOSS Boxing Smoker:

1. Jorge Loera, HHC BDE (winner) vs. Geoff Dominguez, HHC 2/503

2. Addison Curtis, C Co. BSB (winner) vs. Stephen Weddie, B Co. BSB

3. Humberto Guterrez, HHC 2/503 (winner) vs. Alexander Castro C Co. BSB

4. Anthony Cole, C Co. BSB vs. Hector Aguirre, 1/503 (winner)

5. Toyelle Rickson, HHC BDE (winner) vs. Kaitlyne Kisner, B Co. 54th BEB

6. Andre Lucas, USARAF (winner) vs. Alexis Machado, D Co. 1/503

7. Kyler Martin, HHC BDE (winner) vs. Blaine McLean, C Co. 2/503

8. Edward Biron, E Co. BEB (winner) vs. Aaron Gillette, HHC BDE

9. Jasmine Smith, HHC BSB (winner) vs. Kathleen Harris, HHC BDE