{"id":35677,"date":"2025-07-31T19:53:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T19:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/35677\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T19:53:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T19:53:10","slug":"youre-going-to-see-fireworks-rockford-boxing-classic-returns-for-fourth-year-on-saturday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/35677\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018You\u2019re going to see fireworks\u2019: Rockford Boxing Classic returns for fourth year on Saturday"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"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)
\nBy Kevin Haas
Rock River Current<\/a>
Get our mobile app<\/a><\/p>\n

ROCKFORD \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

The fourth annual Rockford Boxing Classic<\/a> is slated for 4 p.m. Saturday, with the first bout beginning at 5 p.m. This year\u2019s event has 14 bouts, including nine boxers fighting out of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis isn\u2019t some bogus, pay-per-view professional fight where guys are going to come out and just try to collect a paycheck,\u201d Jimmy Goodman, director of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club, said Thursday during a press event. \u201cThese kids aren\u2019t getting paid. They\u2019re going to come out and fight their hearts out. It\u2019s their world title fight for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

More news: Owner of Iconic Energy to sell historic former News Tower in Rockford<\/a><\/p>\n

The headline bout this year pits Rockford\u2019s 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\u00a0moving up to super middleweight to take on Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re going to see fireworks with him,\u201d Goodman said. \u201cHe\u2019s at that level, right before the pro level. He wants to be impressive.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Other Rockford Patriots Boxing Club competitors are\u00a0Kaleb Chambers, Brian Javier, My\u2019Aire King, Brendan Murphy, Romeo Moralez, Sam Ryall, Gus Wampfler, and Maria Wampfler, who will compete in the featured girls\u2019 bout.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom the first year we had an exciting turnout, and it\u2019s gotten bigger and better each year,\u201d Goodman said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s exciting for these kids to come out and showcase their skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPeople from all over the state, all over the Midwest call me up wanting to compete on our card,\u201d Goodman said. \u201cThey see the publicity we get, they see the crowd we have. It\u2019s a free event for the city, so who wouldn\u2019t want to come box here and bring all their friends and family to watch them compete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before you go | Rockford Boxing Classic
\n\"RockfordGus 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)<\/p>\n

When: 4 p.m. gates open, 5 p.m. bouts begin Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025<\/p>\n

Where: Rockford City Market pavilion, State and Water streets, Rockford\n<\/p>\n

Admission: Free (guests can also purchase a ringside table for eight for $300)\n<\/p>\n

Seating: Standing room only or bring your own lawn chair\n<\/p>\n

Food\/beverage: Jaliscoast Rayo<\/a>, Pizza Fresca and Lulu\u2019s Roasted Corn. Adult beverages will be served by Minnihan\u2019s.<\/p>\n

More info\/reserve table: RockfordBoxingClassic.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Lineup<\/p>\n

Nate Flores (Charley Co.) vs. Kai Wayka (Menominee)
\nMy\u2019Aire King (Rockford) vs. Sam Medina (Tallon\u2019s)
\nBrendan Murphy (Rockford) vs. Owen Fosdick (Peoria)
\nJohnny Baldwin (Punch Out) vs. Jarrelle Graves (Ramon V)
\nAntonio Lopez Diaz (Punch Out) vs. Isaac Rodriguez (Ziggy)
\nJordan Villanueva (Aurora) vs. Maurice Baker Jr. (Kingdom City)
\nAli Khusenov (Punch out) vs. Makai Baker (Kingdom City)
\nMaria Wampfler (Rockford) vs. Tahiry Rowry (Kingdom City)
\nKaleb Chambers (Rockford) vs. Elias Reiter (Menominee)
\nRomeo Moralez (Rockford) vs. Zion Jackson (Aurora)
\nSam Ryall (Rockford) vs. Gidean Sauzo (Aurora)
\nBrian Javier (Rockford) vs. Dyelon Latimore (Sam Colonna)
\nGus Wampfler (Rockford) vs. Damian Giczewski (Hyper)
\nJulian Lugo (Rockford) vs. Tyrone Johnson (Taylor)<\/p>\n

\"\"The Rockford Boxing Classic belt is on display Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Rockford Patriots Boxing Club. (Photo by Kevin Haas\/Rock River Current)<\/p>\n

This article is by\u00a0Kevin Haas<\/a>. Email him at\u00a0khaas@rockrivercurrent.com<\/a>\u00a0or follow him on X at\u00a0@KevinMHaas\u00a0<\/a>or Instagram\u00a0@thekevinhaas<\/a>\u00a0and Threads\u00a0@thekevinhaas<\/a><\/p>\n

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