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The community will be wowed by the intensity, event organizer says.
By E. David Guel
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Members of this college’s boxing team will square off against each other in an Olympic-style showcase 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23 during SACtacular in the mall.
The third annual SACtacular, a free block party celebrating this college, is 5-9 p.m. and open to the public.
The boxing matches are a big attraction at SACtacular, said Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist and event organizer.
She expects a unique audience watching the fierce competition.
“It draws a good crowd … a lot of our older attendees,” Hernandez said. “We have a lot of events for the young children like the face-painting and the balloon animals and the pet show, so this draws a lot of adults.”
More than 100 people gathered to watch last year, according to an Oct. 24, 2014, Ranger story.
Last year’s showcase featured three one-minute rounds for 10 fights, but boxing Coach Hector Ramos estimates six to seven fights this time.
He has not yet tallied the number of participants.
The event will feature experienced boxers and those who have never fought in a match.
Hernandez lauded Ramos’ effort training students for the event.
“He’s down to earth,” she said. “The students really connect with him.”
She added: “I think he does an amazing job considering we don’t have a boxing gym. I’m amazed with their performance all the time. Most of the kids are committed … here every day, Monday through Friday.”
Engineering freshman Marc Rodriguez wants to use boxing as a way to get back in shape. He described it as “full body” exercise.
“I want to get back down to 170 pounds, Rodriguez said. “(In boxing), you move the way people don’t normally move. … Before you know it, the weight melts off you.”
“The more you get hit in the face, the more you want to learn how to not get hit,” said Rodriguez, who started boxing at 16.
Rodriguez also values the camaraderie he gained by training with fellow students.
“I didn’t speak with a lot of people in my classes around SAC. Now I see some of these people in the hall and I say what’s up.”
Ramos says his fighters seize a “once in a lifetime opportunity” by training for weeks and testing their skills in the ring.
“You’re in front of 100-plus people and, at the end of the three rounds, they raise somebody’s hand up and you see if your hard work paid off,” Ramos said, speaking from his fighter’s perspective.
Bout victors will win a trophy and all participants get medals.
“In my eyes, once you compete as a boxer, everything else is pretty easy,” Ramos said.
Ramos says the ultimate goal is to have fighters compete in February’s regional Golden Gloves competition.
“You could say I’m scouting,” Hector said with a laugh. “I’m seeing who has the materials to represent San Antonio College at the Golden Gloves.”
For more information, call Hernandez at 210-486-0128.
