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NEWS | Jan. 26, 2010

Training camp deadline extended into February

By Patrick Desmond 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

The program that produced standout service boxers such as three-time All-Air Force light heavyweight champion Rodney Ellison is looking for a few Airmen to fill their shoes.

Currently, Air Force boxing coach Steven Franco is reviewing nine applicants, three from Lackland. But he's out for more local talent.

Air Force sports has extended the application deadline for the Air Force boxing training camp until March 1. Training camp begins March 20. Boxers who make the cut will continue to train through April 25.

Eligible applicants need to have five USA boxing-sanctioned bouts under their belt to join the program and fight in the Armed Forces and amateur national tournament - the program's ultimate goals.

However, Franco said a boxer with only three bouts will be admitted as two more fights will be picked up at the Lackland hosted All-Air Force Box-offs, April 3-4 at the Bennett Fitness Center.

Eligible applicants enter into the 10-day training camp, which is designed to weed out boxers who lack physical fitness, necessary technique and mental toughness.

The training camp serves to further strengthen basics such as counterpunching and physical conditioning.

Due to time limitations, potential boxers need to come into camp fit, eager and open-minded, Franco said.

"Physically, the PT program now in the Air Force is doing a good job," he said. "So, a lot of guys are already in some type of shape.

"Now, they are going to have to get in even better shape."

He said that's half the battle. The rest is applying fundamentals.

For less experienced boxers, the ability to pick up training quickly is crucial.

"That's what we're looking for," Franco said, "'Can this guy apply what we just taught him?' We don't have much time; a month later, we're at Armed Forces."

Compared to the Army and Marine boxing programs, the Air Force is ostensibly at a disadvantage, considering the other branches' year-in-year-out commitment to the sport.

But the Air Force coach has a different perspective.

"A lot of the people (the Army and Marines) box, they have already fought in different tournaments. With our guys, they don't know who we're bringing in."

Finally, Franco expects boxers to bring enthusiasm into the camp.

"The will to win," he said. "You have to have a heart to win; you're not just here to get away from work for a while."

The theories are then put into application inside the ring at the Box-offs, a deciding factor in who makes the cut for the 2010 boxing team.

Franco said it doesn't matter who wins or loses at the All-Air Force tournament, but just that the boxers show competence.

"And, just because they won doesn't mean we are going to keep them," he said. "It's about who performs the best, who's going to provide us with the best chance of winning at Armed Forces and nationals."

Three Lackland fighters have filed applications: Richard Smith (178 pounds), Matt McCoy (152 pounds) and Chris Mann (165 pounds).

Two of the three, McCoy and Smith, also train in mixed martial arts.

McCoy is looking to return to the camp, after making the cut in 2007-2008, followed by a hiatus last year.

"He has some skill; he's pretty good at both, MMA and boxing," Franco said.

Smith would be joining the camp for the first time.

At the moment, the Air Force boxing gym is changing houses from the Bennett Fitness Center, to its new home at the Chaparral Fitness Center in March.

During the camp, boxers will live in the Defense Language Institute dorms and cross the street to the fitness center three times daily for training sessions.

People interested in applying for a spot in the camp can turn in Air Force Form 303, Request for USAF specialized Sports Training, to the Chaparral Fitness Center, or contact the sports office at 671-3716 for more information.