Ohio University juniors Tom McIntyre and Kevin Wild first met at pre-college orientation. Tonight they meet again, this time in a boxing ring.
Along with 26 other amateur boxers, the duo squares off as part of Friday Night at the Fights, starting at 8 p.m. in The Convo.
The event, produced by OU Sports Administration, made a triumphant return to Athens last April, drawing more than 1,700 spectators to Athens High School. Despite a venue change to convenience students, the event is expected to be equally successful, said Andrew Kreutzer, coordinator of the OU Sports Administration and Facility Management Program.
Three (components) make this what it is
he said. It's exciting for the fans it's exciting for the boxers who deserve recognition for their hard work and it's exciting for our grad students who are involved in the production.
In addition to 11 undercard bouts, Friday Night at the Fights features three main events. McIntyre and Wild will be pitted against each other in a match dubbed OU Golden Gloves. Guns and Hoses returns this year with Ohio Adult Parole Officer Jason Rhodes taking on Jason McCarty of the Wellston Fire Department. In a new Ladies First main event, Lisa Vondrell, president of the OU Boxing Club, bouts with Valerie DeFreitas of Coolville.
Preparing for battle
Tuesday night McIntyre and Wild attended one of their final training sessions, sitting at opposite ends of Grover Center's multi-purpose room as they wrapped their hands before applying their boxing gloves.
This is going to be a big test McIntyre said of tonight's match. You learn something about yourself when punches are being thrown at you - you either fight or flight.
Both boxers have shown admirable work ethic and determination. Wild recently has thrown 100 punches a day at a bag, while McIntyre has not touched alcohol since St. Patrick's Day. Preparation, however, is where their similarities end.
Wild hails from New Jersey; McIntyre from Pittsburgh. McIntyre is active in the OU Boxing Club, whereas Wild is a member of the OU Rugby Club.
For McIntyre, much of boxing is mental. He has taken to playing chess as preparation for the bout, a game that also involves strategy and anticipation. Wild, though, has a different perspective.
When I get into the ring
I don't think much about it
he said. To me
none of it is mental.
The benefits
But Friday Night at the Fights is about more than individual bouts, said Lori Ruane, chair of the boxing committee. Part of the event's grandeur stems from its ability to integrate students and non-students alike for the purpose of entertainment.
One of the reasons we have this event is to get students and the community involved together
Ruane said. The crowd usually ends up being very mixed.
The production, funded solely by ticket sales and sponsors, includes a referee, an announcer, judges, corner crews, intermissions and entrance music. Each match consists of three one-minute rounds with the boxers' safety placed at a premium.
A bloody nose could happen
but usually that's the most serious (injury) we've seen
Kreutzer said.
Under the guidance of Sam Jones, owner of Sam's Gym in Glouster, the boxers have been training for two months, in addition to conditioning on their own.
While their motives for boxing vary, each boxer has developed somewhat of a passion for the sport, said Tim Taylor, a 35-year-old former Marine from Athens who is among this year's participants.
(Boxing) is how I originally got in shape when I was training for boot camp
he said. It's almost like a drug - once you do it a couple times
it's hard to stay away from it.
