Warrior Country Boxing Invitational is a knockout

By Pvt. Naveed Ali Shah, 1HBCT Public Affairs OfficeFebruary 5, 2008

Boxing
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Warrior Country's best jabs, hooks and haymakers were on display at the Boxing Invitational, Jan. 19 at Camp Casey's Hanson Field House.

Matches ranged from welterweight to super-heavyweight, between Army, Air Force and Marine Corp servicemembers for a total of 17 fights. Airmen from Kunsan Air Base came to challenge the Army boxers.

"We come from a really small base so we get excited when we can come and fight and feel the energy from the crowd," said Airman 1st Class Aaron A. Valdes, traffic manager, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "We'd like to say thanks to the Army for having us."

"We've still got that interservice rivalry, but we could learn a lot from each other at the same time," Air Force Staff Sgt. Richard Mora, team coach, added.

Marines from Okinawa, Japan, on temporary duty here in Korea, also participated in the event.

"We just got to Camp Casey on the 16th, and here I am two days later in the ring, so I'm glad the Army gave me the opportunity to do this," said Marine Sgt. Omar Reece, infantryman, 3rd Intelligence Battalion, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force.

The Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver), Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez, was on hand to provide commentary on the match, as well as present the winners of each fight their plaques.

The next Warrior Country Boxing Invitational will be held March 22 at Camp Stanley, but for you blood sport enthusiasts, a wrestling invitational will be Feb. 16 at Camp Red Cloud.