Holloman boxing club rumbles with Army Soldiers

By Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published August 13, 2008

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Tech. Sgt. Genese Williams, 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron lands a punch on her opponent, Army 2nd Lt. Emma Taylor during their boxing match at Fort Bliss Army Post in El Paso, Texas, July 25. The bout was an exhibition due to the differences in weight class. (U.S Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss)

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Airman 1st Class Willy Bivins, 49th Maintenance Squadron, receives a checkup for any coherency problems before his boxing match at the Border Rumble at Fort Bliss Army Post in El Paso, Texas, July 25. The Screening process is required before every fight. (U.S Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss)

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Tech. Sgt. Genese Williams, 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron, Puts her game face on in preparation for her boxing match at the Border Rumble at Fort Bliss Army post in El Paso, Texas, July 25. Sergeant Williams had the first bout of the night against a female Soldier from Ft. Bliss. (U.S Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss)

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The boxing team from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., 2nd Lt. Brian Sanders, Airman 1st Class Willie Bivins, Tech. Sgt. Genese Williams, Staff. Sgt. Marcellues Hall, and Airman 1st Class Daniel Monroe pose for a team photo at the Border Rumble at Fort Bliss Army Post in El Paso, Texas, July 25. All the fighters are members of Holloman's boxing club which started more than seven months ago. (U.S Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss)

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Airman 1st Class Daniel Monroe, 49th Maintenance Squadron, has his pulse and blood pressure checked by Army Private 1st Class Chad Lewis before his boxing match at the Border rumble located at Fort Bliss Army Post in El Paso, Texas, July 25. Four team Holloman members participated in matches against Army Soldiers from Ft. Bliss.(U.S Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss)

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2nd Lt Brandon Sanders, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, waits for the bell to ring before his boxing match with Army Staff Sgt. Hector Dozal at the Border Rumble at Fort Bliss Army Post in El Paso, Texas, July 25. (U.S Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class DeAndre Curtiss)

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Four members of Holloman AFB's boxing team recently fought against Army Soldiers from Fort Bliss Army Post, during the Border Rumble boxing match held in El Paso, Texas.

In anticipation of the Border Rumble, the fighters trained as a group sparring, shadow boxing, and performing strength and conditioning exercises to get them ready.

The team received most of their coaching from Senior Airman Thomas McConnell, 49th Maintenance Group, and felt that thanks to his help, they were ready for the challenge.
The team competed in one exhibition and three official bouts walking away with two victories.

Though the team wasn't able to bring home all four victories they still walked away with a feeling of accomplishment and were both satisfied and impressed with each other's performances.

"I believe we all did a great job! Showing up and accepting the challenge in it self is outstanding," said Tech. Sgt. Genese Williams, 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron.

The team's performance especially impressed Staff. Sgt. Marcellues Hall, co-founder of the boxing club and trainer, who was in the corner for every one of the team member's fight.

"Personally I feel they did a beautiful job," he said. "They fought with all their heart and were nothing less than sensational."

Sergeant Hall also attributed some of the team's success to good coaching saying Airman McConnell is one of the best coaches he's ever met.

"Coach McConnell did an outstanding job with each individual I think," he said.

The boxing team was founded January of this year by head coach Airman McConnell, Sergeant Hall, and Mr. Benton Gordon 49th Force Support Squadron.

Since January, the team has competed in two fighting events, the Raptor Rumble which was held here on March 7 and the Border Rumble recently held at Fort Bliss.

Currently Holloman AFB's boxing team has five members. The team members are 2nd Lt. Brandon Saunders, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron, Sergeant Williams, Airman 1st Class Willy Bivins, 49th Maintenance Squadron, Airman 1st Class Daniel Garcia, 49th Materiel Maintenance Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Daniel Monroe, 49th Operations Support Squadron.

The next match is scheduled to take place here in September.