Boxing showdown is coming to Marble Falls
CAPTION: Issac Escamilla (left), Santos Ojeda and Maliki Escamilla of Marble Falls will compete in the Hill Country Summer Showdown. Courtesy photo
The first Hill Country Summer Showdown boxing event is Saturday, July 13, at the Boys and Girls Club of the Highland Lakes, 1701 Broadway in Marble Falls.
Doors open at 1 p.m. with the first bout at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door. The showdown is presented by IMR Boxing Gym Inc. of Marble Falls, which is part of USA Boxing, the governing body of the sport.
“This is for the athletes to compete,” organizer Karlene Escamilla said. “This is part of a scoring system to get them to national events.”
IMR Boxing Gym Inc.’s mission is to impact youth through several structured athletic programs that encourage wellness, self-confidence, discipline, respect and integrity.
“Our goal is to uplift our community youth, promote exemplary citizenship and aid them in their journey to becoming successful adults, who bring value to our community,” Escamilla said.
The Escamillas keep it all in the family. Her husband, Freddy Escamilla, Jr., is a boxing coach and was involved in the sport when the two met 11 years ago. Their sons, Maliki and Issac, are boxers.
When the family relocated to the area from Michigan, they brought their love of boxing with them and decided to start the 501(c) (3) nonprofit.
“It’s an individual sport and you’re still part of a team,” she said, pointing out that Team USA leads the world with the most Olympic medals earned since 1904. “You’re competing against yourself. You have to be in phenomenal shape. In the boxing world, you can be any size. It helps with your mental health, physical health and nutrition. It’s truly you and what you put into it.”
She said any athlete between the ages of 6-18 who is in school can join IMR Boxing Gym free of charge.
“As long as you’re in school, come and work out,” she said. “We’re regulated through USA Boxing. Come to our gym (at the Boys and Girls Club) to take up some of your free time. It’s conditioning for other sports.”
As for the showdown itself, Escamilla said the event will follow the rules of USA Boxing where athletes will wear the standard gear. Each match will have three rounds and the rounds will last between 1-3 minutes, depending on the ages of the boxers.
“It’s highly regulated,” she said. “We have a doctor on staff. They see a doctor for a physical. They have to weigh in. Before the matches, they’re gloved up with head gear and protective gear. And they have to see the doctor after the match as well.”
The event includes 25 championship bouts. The winners receive belts, while the runner-ups get medals. Belts will go to a Male and Female “Boxer of the Night.” The showdown already had 50 athletes who committed to competing, including Maliki Escamilla, Isaac Escamilla and Santos Ojeda. Sponsorships are available. On Facebook search IMR Boxing Gym to learn more.
“It brings the sport back to Marble Falls,” she said. “It’s a sport to be involved in. We’re looking to host more events. We want to make this a community program. We want to build it up and get more involved. Come out and see the benefits of boxing.”
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