Holloman members get right to fight

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jamal Sutter
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affiars
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  In today's ultra competitive society, it's almost impossible to find someone who doesn't believe he or she is the best at something. From a friendly game of checkers with a buddy to the ever popular singing contests seen on television, competition is the way of the world.

For some, this hunger to compete is satisfied by lacing up gloves and pummeling opponents in the ring.

Since August of last year, the boxing club here has been giving members of Team Holloman the opportunity to train and test their skills unlike any other way possible.

"I've been working on trying to get something like this started for a couple years now," said Senior Airman Thomas McConnell when speaking about how the club started. "I talked to Mr. Gordon Benton, fitness director, at the gym and I got with Staff Sgt. Marcellues Hall, who gave me some tips on how to get this stuff going, and we took it from there."

Airman McConnell, who is a coach and founder of the club, holds practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the gym at 6 p.m.

Tuesday practices usually consist of conditioning the body and getting trainees in boxing shape. On Thursdays, newer members are taught punching basics while the more experienced boxers participate in sparing matches.

Any male or female active duty member is allowed to join the club and no experience is necessary, Airman McConnell said.

"All the people who are fighting right now have been trained from the bottom up," he said. 

Reasons for joining may vary from person to person. Boxing can help release aggression gained from the workplace, home and everyday life but for some it can also serve as a way to self improve.

"I wanted to challenge myself a little more," said Airman 1st Class Daniel Monroe, one of the club members. "I've been lifting weights since I was in high school and wanted to try something new."

When standing on the outside looking in, it's easy for one to believe boxing isn't graceful but don't tell that to Airman Monroe.

"I feel like boxing was an underestimated sport," he said. "A lot of people think it's just brawling but there's more to it than people think there is and I didn't know that until I got into it."

With the success of the recent Raptor Rumble event, there are big plans for the sport of boxing at Holloman.

Once the base establishes a team with dedicated members, there will be opportunities for the club to visit other Air Force bases and participate in matches, said Airman McConnell. In the even nearer future though, there has been talk about Holloman challenging the Soldiers at Fort Bliss Army Post in the ring.