CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – The ring stood at the center of the field, surrounded by fans, families, friends, and boxing enthusiasts who came out for a day of action.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoxing is a great sport, and it\u2019s definitely good for youth to help them develop discipline, so I\u2019m just grateful to be able to come out here and see what\u2019s going on in the community and be a part of something greater than me,\u201d amateur boxer Tashara \u201cTJ\u201d Van Alstyne said<\/p>\n
Fighters stepped between the ropes ready to put on a show, but every round carried more meaning than just a scorecard.<\/p>\n
For those in the crowd, including organizer George Rivera and his wife Amber, \u201cShowtime at the Post\u201d delivered both entertainment and inspiration, proving boxing can bring people together for something that lasts beyond fight night.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s my first time, seeing any boxing match to be honest and the community here is amazing,\u201d UVA student Ishmam Abtahi said.<\/p>\n
And for the fighters, stepping into this ring wasn\u2019t just about victory, it was about making an impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great thing for us to bring the community out everybody is having a good time enjoying what they see so this is what we do it for, for the community, it\u2019s not just for us it\u2019s for everybody,\u201d amateur boxer Kevon Clarkson said.<\/p>\n
The event stretched through the afternoon, raising money and awareness for Wartime Fitness, a group focused on mental health and wellness resources.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think people talk about it enough, I mean I also coach football at Albemarle High School, shout out to my kids, people need somebody to talk to,\u201d amateur boxer Jamal Thompson said. \u201cPeople need people to go and places to go to help them out.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the first bell to the last round, \u201cShowtime at the Post\u201d proved boxing can be powerful inside the ring and even more powerful when it\u2019s used to fight for a cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe community here is so like overwhelming, everybody is like always in such a good mood and everything, and like just talking to everybody and just seeing how everybody is just always happy,\u201d UVA student Musayav Razaq said.<\/p>\n