LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Eleven Air Force boxers were reacquainted with the "Air Force style" in a 10-day training camp that started March 23 at the Bennett Fitness Center.
Under the supervision of Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco, two-time silver medalist at the Armed Forces Championship, fighters in the camp are "getting back to basics."
The main focus of the camp expressed by Franco was reiterating boxing fundamentals to prepare boxers for the Air Force Box Off tournament and Armed Forces Championship.
According to Franco, once they leave the training camp, boxers are often influenced by fighting with local gyms, and need to brush up on the "Air Force Style" of amateur boxing.
Military boxing follows amateur boxing rules. Air Force boxers must be accustomed to throwing more punches in order to score points in quick three-round bouts as opposed to a professional 12-round bout Franco said.
The 12-day camp instills this style by reiterating fundamentals in group exercises, paired boxer drills and sparring.
Each training day begins with a cardiovascular workout at 6:30 a.m. and ends with another evening workout as late as 7 p.m.
In the group exercise, Franco made an example of himself, jumping in the ring to illustrate the basic one-two combination. With the basic combo in place, Franco said an endless amount of combos could then be elaborated.
Each boxer was instructed to mimic the act of putting out a cigarette with the ball of their right foot when throwing a straight right punch to ensure proper weight distribution and delivery of optimal power.
Pairs of boxers go through the motions, moving around the ring, throwing punches, while camp members standing outside the ropes evaluate their performance.
In another facet of the camp, sparring puts fundamentals into action.
In a round robin sparring exercise, one boxer squares off with all members of the camp consecutively, facing each partner for one minute.
Franco said this lets his boxers build endurance as each faces a fresh opponent.
Also an assistant coach at a local boxing gym, Franco uses access to civilian boxers to give camp members a chance to knock off some "ring rust."
"These guys in the camp will get friendly and won't want to take it out on each other so I would rather have them fight the guys from downtown," he said.
Civilians will also match up against Airmen without weight class opponents in the Box Off.
The Box Off tournament will be held April 3-4 at the Bennett Fitness Center.
Establishing a solid fundamental foundation for boxers is a primary concern leading to the Box Off tournament. Ultimately, experience is paramount in the selection of Airmen going on to the Armed Forces Championship April 26 at Fort Huachuca, Ariz.
"Really, we are not looking for who loses or wins," Franco said. "We are really looking for experience - who is going to help us go to Armed Forces and win a medal."
The team will be selected April 5.