by Shawn Nowlin
When it is time for a fighter to rumble, those with the best combination of endurance, agility, speed and strength usually come out victorious.
On July 6, the Melrose Athletic Club (MAC) Inc. hosted a boxing fundraiser at the Salvation Army Gymnasium on Dale Avenue. At “Return of the MAC,” eighteen fighters of various ages put their skills on full display with each showcasing tremendous grit and determination.
They were: Travis Rowe, Kourdae Huey-Alexander, Donovan Nyumah, William Hawley, Jesus Fernandez-Sanchez, Kahieel Benson, Omar Tyson, Amir Salama, Jamarion Henderson, Randy Fernandez-Sanchez, Zachary Watts, Zuriel Carmichael, Justin Kenley, Rashaun Richard, Deamonte Bethea, Nathan Chappell, Bryan Calderon and Ashton Henderson.
Salama, 15, defeated Calderon of the Warrior Saints Boxing Team in a split decision. Henderson, 14, defeated Ashton Henderson in a unanimous decision. Clips of all the fights were later posted online.
The gathering, which lent tremendous credibility to the local boxing community, was made possible by a coalition of local support. Tickets were $15 in advance and $20 at the door with all proceeds benefiting the MAC. Sponsored by Salver Hydraulics, Valley Bail Bonds, LLC, and Door Services, Inc., an estimated 200 people attended.
A certified boxing coach, Victor Banks is the founder of MAC. The non-profit, which he founded in 2003, remains as committed as ever to its mission: to provide a safe and empowering environment for the youth of our community.
Over the last two decades, more than 150 teenagers have gone through the program. One of the athletes who competed last weekend could possibly go for the Olympic Gold one day. Cori Dionne, who served as the emcee, has a son who just may be that individual.
“It’s all about defense. We teach our kids effective tactics, how to throw punches and be a well-rounded fighter. Virginia State Junior Olympic Champion Bryson Mank, 14, competed at the world-renowned Sugar Bert International Tournament striking gold and returning home with the belt. This kid, like many others under our tutelage, is making a statement statewide and nationwide,” Banks, a Hampton University alum, said.
Ernest and James Cabbler, both uncles of Banks, were professional boxers in the 1950s.
The clubs represented at the fundraiser were C4 Boxing, Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing, Warrior Saints Boxing, Unattached Boxing, Ninth Dimension Sports Circle and Melrose Athletic Club.
When all was said and done, Banks was more than pleased with how things turned out. “After failing to secure a gymnasium through the city, we ended up finding success at the Salvation Army. People came from out-of-state to support us. This was truly a win-win for everyone involved,” he said.
Individual donors and volunteers helped make July 6 possible. A similar event is in the works for November. For more information, visit https://www.melroseathleticclub.org.
