LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS –
Sixteen Air Force Boxers began training Jan. 4 at 6 a.m. at the Bennett Fitness Center for the chance to represent the Air Force at the Armed Forces Boxing Championship set Feb. 3-8 held at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The Air Force Box-Off will begin Jan. 18, as they square off in matches starting at 7 p.m.
Competitors from each weight class will then be selected based on their performance during the matches.
Team selection will also be based on their progress from the beginning of camp, their effort given during camp and their representation of the Air Force.
"I won't be taking anybody that is lazy or doesn't follow instructions well," said head coach Edward Rivas, Dyess Air Force Base.
The 15 men and one woman endured an intense 10-day schedule that had them beginning workouts at 5 a.m.
A typical day would involve an early morning conditioning session, followed by skills and fundamentals training at 9 a.m.
After lunch the skills from the morning would be practiced at half speed, and around 5 p.m., full-speed sparring would begin.
"This year we are able to spend more time on boxing skills because of the great conditioning shape of these athletes," Rivas said.
The last four days of practice have been conditioning drills and technique drills only, keeping the competitors fresh for this weekend's competition.
Team Lackland member Matthew McCoy, 37th Logistics Readiness Squadron, is one of those hoping to make the team.
He is joined by fellow Team Lackland members and assistant coaches Steven Franco, 343rd Training Squadron, and Rudy Moreno, 37th Civil Engineer Squadron.
"I'm interested to see how this will turn out," Rivas said. "I'm getting really excited to test our skills against everyone else."
Returning to this year's Box-Off is Rosey Summersville, last year's gold medal winner in the Featherweight division.
This year saw a few changes, as the Lackland Fitness and Sports program played a more integral role in helping the boxing staff and athletes prepare for the tournament.
There was a nutrition and diet class taught to inform competitors of healthy ways to gain and lose weight.
"Boxers and wrestlers are known for punishing themselves to make a certain weight class," Rivas said. "This year we are trying to teach healthier ways to do so."
Video training was also made available to the boxers so that they could see their flaws on screen.
"Steve Reichert and the whole Warhawk Team really did a great job giving us everything we needed," Rivas said.
Boxers will continue competition Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. The event is open to all. Admission is free for both nights.