Julian Lugo connects with a left hook on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, against Andres Enriquez during the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — An annual event that gives amateur boxers a chance to showcase their skills in front of a hometown crowd returns this Saturday to the Rockford City Market pavilion in downtown.
The fourth annual Rockford Boxing Classic is slated for 4 p.m. Saturday, with the first bout beginning at 5 p.m. This year’s event has 14 bouts, including nine boxers fighting out of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club.
“This isn’t some bogus, pay-per-view professional fight where guys are going to come out and just try to collect a paycheck,” Jimmy Goodman, director of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club, said Thursday during a press event. “These kids aren’t getting paid. They’re going to come out and fight their hearts out. It’s their world title fight for them.”
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The headline bout this year pits Rockford’s Julian Lugo against Tyrone Johnson out of Chicago. Lugo, a junior Golden Gloves national champion and three-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion, has been preparing for the opportunity to make his professional debut for more than a year. Goodman said they hope that can happen before the end of the year. Lugo is moving up to super middleweight to take on Johnson.
“You’re going to see fireworks with him,” Goodman said. “He’s at that level, right before the pro level. He wants to be impressive.”
Other Rockford Patriots Boxing Club competitors are Kaleb Chambers, Brian Javier, My’Aire King, Brendan Murphy, Romeo Moralez, Sam Ryall, Gus Wampfler, and Maria Wampfler, who will compete in the featured girls’ bout.
“From the first year we had an exciting turnout, and it’s gotten bigger and better each year,” Goodman said. “It’s exciting for the kids to come out and compete in front of their hometown, in front of their family and friends. Especially underneath a venue like the City Market pavilion, it’s exciting for these kids to come out and showcase their skills.”
Large crowds have filled in under the pavilion for the event in each of its four years. There are some tables available for reservation, but it is otherwise free admission for standing-room only or bring-your-own chair.
“People from all over the state, all over the Midwest call me up wanting to compete on our card,” Goodman said. “They see the publicity we get, they see the crowd we have. It’s a free event for the city, so who wouldn’t want to come box here and bring all their friends and family to watch them compete.”
Before you go | Rockford Boxing Classic
Gus Wampfler lands a right hand on Travis Wilson on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, during the Rockford Boxing Classic at Rockford City Market pavilion. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
When: 4 p.m. gates open, 5 p.m. bouts begin Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025
Where: Rockford City Market pavilion, State and Water streets, Rockford
Admission: Free (guests can also purchase a ringside table for eight for $300)
Seating: Standing room only or bring your own lawn chair
Food/beverage: Jaliscoast Rayo, Pizza Fresca and Lulu’s Roasted Corn. Adult beverages will be served by Minnihan’s.
More info/reserve table: RockfordBoxingClassic.com
Lineup
Nate Flores (Charley Co.) vs. Kai Wayka (Menominee)
My’Aire King (Rockford) vs. Sam Medina (Tallon’s)
Brendan Murphy (Rockford) vs. Owen Fosdick (Peoria)
Johnny Baldwin (Punch Out) vs. Jarrelle Graves (Ramon V)
Antonio Lopez Diaz (Punch Out) vs. Isaac Rodriguez (Ziggy)
Jordan Villanueva (Aurora) vs. Maurice Baker Jr. (Kingdom City)
Ali Khusenov (Punch out) vs. Makai Baker (Kingdom City)
Maria Wampfler (Rockford) vs. Tahiry Rowry (Kingdom City)
Kaleb Chambers (Rockford) vs. Elias Reiter (Menominee)
Romeo Moralez (Rockford) vs. Zion Jackson (Aurora)
Sam Ryall (Rockford) vs. Gidean Sauzo (Aurora)
Brian Javier (Rockford) vs. Dyelon Latimore (Sam Colonna)
Gus Wampfler (Rockford) vs. Damian Giczewski (Hyper)
Julian Lugo (Rockford) vs. Tyrone Johnson (Taylor)
The Rockford Boxing Classic belt is on display Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Rockford Patriots Boxing Club. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas