The boxing ring will be up and tables filled this weekend at the 1st Interstate Building at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds as boxers from across the state vie for a chance for regional and even national attention. The boxers range in age from 8-34 but the boxers in the spotlight will be the ones who are 14, 15, and 16 years old who hope to gain the notice of USA Boxing officials. The winners of these bouts can advance to the state, regional and even national championships. It is at the regional and national events that boxers are spotted and brought into the Olympic boxing ring.
This is a USA Boxing Tournament and as such, there are specific rules for scoring. A knockdown or even a TKO is a rare event in these bouts. Instead, boxers are judged on how many blows they land on the front of the body and head. The boxing gloves have a white portion on the glove and only blows made with this white area are counted. The boxer’s arm must be fully extended also. Judges at ringside have a counter in each hand to keep track of each boxer’s hits. A win is usually by decision, based on what the judges see during the bout.
“We train the kids to make good, qualified punches,” said Howard Skaw, one of the coaches at the Hamilton Boxing Club.
Skaw, who boxed when he was in high school, has been a coach oft and on since the ’80’s. He took a brief hiatus but has been coaching full time for about the last 12 years. He is the owner of North American Foods, a meat processing plant on the east side of Hamilton. Once hunting season is over and the plant is caught up with their processing, the business takes on an alter ego after hours.
At 5:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays, the tables, saws and knives are put away; and mats, jump ropes and punching bags are brought out. Like a scene out of the movie Rocky (although no beef is used), the place is transformed into a gym where youngsters learn the ancient art of boxing.
Wayne Shiever and his wife, Amber, also help Skaw with coaching duties as well as any other organizational needs that a club of 20 to 25 members needs. The youngsters practice their footwork, learn how to throw a legal punch and most importantly of all, learn about self-discipline.
“We train them to fight hard,” said Shiever. “But we want them to learn how to box the right way.”
The US Boxing Association has a couple of divisions that exclusively geared towards the Olympics. The Junior Olympic Division is a developmental program for boys and girls from ages eight to 16. Athletes compete with young men and women of their same sex, ages, size and skill level. The boxers are not only divided into age divisions but within those divisions there are 17 incremental weight classes. The Under 19 Division is the second stage on the way to the Olympic boxing team. This program gives 17 and 18 year olds another opportunity to improve while instilling dedication, discipline and desire that is common in world-class athletes. National tournaments, training camps and even international competitions are some of the venues these chosen athletes can compete in.
There is a fee to belong to the Hamilton Boxing Club but that fee can be waived if need is determined. Although he doesn’t admit it, Skaw often picks up the expenses for some of the kids, as do the Shievers. They say the need for this type of program is great because “if we don’t take them in, they will be out on the streets.”
In addition to the membership fee, there are other needs for the gym and the club. New mats and gloves are needed. Traveling costs including gas, food and lodging all add up as well. Although they don’t go out and solicit a lot of donations, they are always accepted.
The event this weekend will feature about 40 to 50 boxers from Butte to Browning, Sidney to Great Falls, and Belgrade to Fort Belknap. Skaw said that although all of his boxers will have a chance to compete, they would throw in the towel if he thinks his boxer is out-matched. He wants the experience to be a positive one, one that always encourages the boxer to keep on boxing.
“In amateur boxing, there’s always another day.”
The boxing event this weekend is one way the club raises money. The door opens at 6 each night. With admission, there will be a raffle for 25 pounds of beef each night. In addition, there will also be live auctions on Friday and Saturday nights. Cost is $10 at the door both Friday and Saturday night or $8 for advanced tickets. Tickets may be purchased at North American Foods at 333 Marcus St. in Hamilton or by calling Skaw at 531-6740 or Shiver at 381-6875.