Amateurs to fight in Augusta

Top-flight amateur women boxers typically have a tough time finding fights.

Augusta will try to change that - at least for a weekend this summer.

Augusta Boxing Club and the Augusta Recreation Department will hold the 2003 Ringside Augusta Women's Open and the Boys Junior National Summer Boxing Classic on June 19-21 at May Park Community Center.

For the women who will compete, it'll be a good opportunity to tune up for the USA Boxing Nationals on July 8 in Florida.

"If I had a woman boxer, it'd be perfect," said Tom Moraetes, the director of Augusta Boxing Club. "It'll be great for them to get in the ring three weeks before the nationals, because it's hard for them to get fights when they're that good."

Have a thought? Go to the Forums or Chat.  Subscribe  E-mail this story  Write a letter to the Editor  Printer-friendly version  Get news on your PDA  Get e-mail headlines

Moraetes said he expects 200 to 400 fighters to participate - boys and women combined - in the four-day event.

"This tournament was designed for several reasons," Moraetes said. "The first being the opportunity for young athletes to show their skills in a sport that is sometimes misunderstood.

"The second is the opportunity to show off the great city of Augusta to hundreds of athletes, coaches and officials that may never had a reason to come to Augusta."

Reach Josh Katzowitz at (706) 823-3216 or josh.katzowitz@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Wednesday, March 19, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle