ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Boxing Day is not until December 26 but in Rockford it will also be on Saturday.<\/p>\n
This is because the Rockford Boxing Classic returns to the City Market Pavilion for its fifth straight year and organizers say this will be its best lineup to date.<\/p>\n
32 of the best amateur male and female boxers from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin are scheduled to fight. 16 competitors represent the Rockford Patriots Boxing Club, including Julian Lugo; a veteran on the event\u2019s lineup card.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust the butterflies and the feeling and the excitement all builds up and I finally just get to go out and perform. So I\u2019m very excited,\u201d said Lugo.<\/p>\n
Lugo is a four-time Illinois Golden Gloves Champion and National Golden Gloves Bronze Medalist. He says his goal is to be a professional boxer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take from it is how great our community is when we really come together and how you can show out for people,\u201d said Lugo.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just don\u2019t know who you\u2019re going to see next,\u201d said Rockford Boxing Club Head Coach Jimmy Goodman. \u201cWe got some of the best guys in the country boxing and some of the best prospects that have be the best in the country at one day, guarantee it.\u201d<\/p>\n
George Harker and Brian Nicholson will fight in the classic for the first time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt feels pretty exciting, honestly,\u201d said Nicholson.<\/p>\n
\u201cExciting. Pretty anxious, but excited, you know, just ready to get that belt,\u201d said Harker.<\/p>\n
From bronze medalist Kenny Gould to current standouts like Lugo and Angel Martinez, Goodman says Rockford has a strong boxing history<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I step back and realize the growth that these young kids make. They go from kids to young adults. It\u2019s fulfilling for myself and the rest of the coaches that that are here,\u201d said Goodman.<\/p>\n
The classic starts at 5 p.m. Saturday at Rockford City Market\u2019s Outdoor Pavilion. Gates open at 4 p.m. and admission is free.<\/p>\n
The event\u2019s drawn in 4,500 in its first four years and raised more than $20,000 for the Rockford Boxing Club.<\/p>\n
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