Some of the area’s best boxers return to the ring at the North West Ohio Boxing at the Veterans Memorial and Civic Convention Center at 7 p.m. Dec. 30.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $20 for general admission and $30 for ringside. A VIP (bistro in the pit) tickets go for $60. All tickets can be purchased at the civic center box office or by going to www.limaciviccenter.com.
Lonnie Rettig, promoter of the event and the owner of Southside, said these type of events gives the crowd a chance to glimpse some quality talent who are just getting started and could make a mark in the future.
“Fans will see how far these kids have really worked to get to this event,” Rettig said. “You are going to see a story unfold in the ring and how hard they have put into their craft and 10 and 12 years old and when they see this the fans are part of the keeping these kids off the streets.”
Rettig added this is bigger than a boxing show.
“It is going to be in a great venue with a great place to sit and be comfortable, watch the boxing, have some food and enjoy the night and enjoy these kids because you may never see these kids again or you may see these kids in prime time some day because you (the fans) supported them.”
Part of the NWO boxing series, presented by Southside Spartans Boxing, the event will feature 11 matches with boxers at different stages of their career with the main event featuring Aaron Garett against Steve Plaugher. Garett, who is getting started in the fight game, is transitioning from MMA to boxing. Many are familiar with Plaugher who has been a mainstay at the NWO events.
Also scheduled to fight is Travien Jones, a 24-year-old, who has been fighting for nine years and is looking to make his mark in the boxing world.
Two up and comers also looking to show off their skills are Taj Breland, who finished second at the regional junior olympics in May last year, and Brady Kurtz, who took second at the regional silver gloves competition last year.
The night will begin with some of the younger talent in the Spartans’ stable of fighters.
Rettig said all these fighters have a story to tell and they display their character in the ring.
“We want to give them (the younger fighters) the experience of a big fight,” Rettig said. “They are not going to play around. This is their chance to be in the spotlight. Most of these guys are getting ready for the silver gloves state championships coming in January and the regional and nationals will follow.”
Rettig added that the older boxers are preparing for the Gold Gloves.
Rettig said events like this continues to bolster Lima’s reputation as a hub for area boxing and he is optimistic that Lima will be recognized throughout the state as a spot where teams can come box top notch competition.
“If we can pull these guys in and show them what we have to offer,” Rettig said. ” We want to set the standard. We want to keep some of them in the mix because other gyms in area counties feel like they are left out or they feel they can’t compete with some of the better talent.”
An example of growth in the NWO is that Southside has partnered with a boxing gym in Marion and members of the Marion gym will be fighting at this event.
“I think what people need to understand is that it is just not a sporting event for these kids,” Rettig said. “It is a little more than that. It is their life. That is what we want to do with the NWO and that is to create something amazing.”
