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'Fighting 49ers' rumble during main event

By Airman 1st Class Jamal Sutter, 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs / Published March 11, 2008

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HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Raptor Rumble, an event sponsored by the 49th Services Squadron's Fitness and Sports Center here, challenged 18 of Holloman's very own in a boxing showcase March 7.

More than 700 members of Team Holloman and the Alamogordo community came together to show support and cheer for their favorite boxers, said Tech. Sgt. Michael Lolis, fitness center supervisor.

The idea for the event originated when many people began to show interest in the sport. 

"We started a boxing club," Sergeant Lolis said. "More and more people started to show. Then, one day, Col. McGee was there and he brought up the fact that boxing exhibitions are, often, held in deployed areas."

Participants were non experienced fighters, he explained. Anyone with more than five fights wasn't allowed to compete. Also, only active duty members from Holloman were eligible.

Rules, ideas, designs and other details were inspired by television boxing events, the boxing coaches on base and, also, the participants.

"We wanted the competitors to enjoy themselves, whether they won or loss," said Sergeant Lolis, who believes that will encourage fighters to participate, again, in future Raptor Rumbles.

For some fighters, this wasn't only a chance to showcase talent; it was a chance to make their units proud. 

"I decided to participate because boxing is competitive, unforgiving and brutal," said 2nd Lt. Brandon Sanders, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron section commander. "I saw this as an opportunity to represent my commander and my squadron. Boxing is the sport where a man can really test himself in the ring and I wanted to do just that."

Lieutenant Sanders, who was the only officer to compete, found that stepping in the ring was no easy feat.

"Three one minute rounds can be incredibly exhausting, even for the most trained athletes," he said. "My opponent was definitely a tremendous fighter. He was hitting me so hard I had to double check to see if he had gloves on or not."

One of the more anticipated fights that evening was the match between female boxers Staff Sgt. Genese Williams, 49th Materiel Maintenance Support Squadron, and Airman 1st Class Krystal Macatol, 49th Maintenance Squadron. They were the only female contestants of the evening.

"It's important to have females participate because it shows we can do things just like the males," said Airman 1st Class Lauren Moss, 49th Aeromedical Dental Squadron public health technician, who was in attendance during the event.

The Raptor Rumble was a great event that had a wonderful turn out and left fans asking for more once the final bout was over.

"The audience was chanting 'one more round' which let us know we both fought well and that's all that matters," Lieutenant Sanders said. "I've already begun training for the next Raptor Rumble and whoever wishes to challenge me can find me in 49 CES."

More people already want to get involved in future boxing events, Sergeant Lolis said, believing this is only the beginning of what the Raptor Rumble and similar events can become.