Leather flies at Misawa’s fight night
By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres, 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
/ Published September 07, 2009
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Capt. Harold Tongson, 35th Fighter Wing executive officer, and Col. David Stilwell, 35th Fighter Wing commander, square off during a Friday Night Fight Night bout Aug. 28. Colonel Stilwell won the two-round fight bout by decision. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Rick Perez throws a left jab toward James Huber during a lightweight Friday Night Fight Night bout Aug. 28. The event allowed 24 fighters a chance to prove their skills in the ring. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- A Friday Night Fight Night contestant attempts to beat the 10-count during a match Aug. 28. Despite being the first ever installment of the event, Friday Night Fight Night drew in a packed crowd and left many people waiting in line to gain entrance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Manny Silvestre lands a right cross during a heavyweight bout against Matthew Lark Aug. 28. Participants wore 18 ounce gloves, which are six to eight ounces heavier than gloves used in amateur civilian boxing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Octavius Sails, left, and Tony Lewis, right, square off during their Friday Night Fight Night heavyweight bout Aug. 28. Lewis won the match by technical knock-out in the second round. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Octavius Sails takes a moment of rest during his Friday Night Fight Night heavyweight match against Tony Lewis Aug. 28. Each match was scheduled for three, two-minute rounds. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Christopher Mendonca lands a left jab to Philip Davis during their Friday Night Fight Night light heavyweight bout Aug. 28. Despite his effort, Mendonca lost the match by decision. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Corey Brooks stands victorious after a middleweight Friday Night Fight Night bout Aug. 28. Due to the event's success, there is already a second installment scheduled to take place later this month. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
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MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Megan McDonough gives advice to Abe Espinoza during his lightweight Friday Night Fight Night bout Aug. 28. Some of the fighters had boxing experience while others never fought in an amateur bout. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jamal D. Sutter)
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --
Misawa Air Base hosted the first fight night with three rounds of amateur boxing Aug. 28 at the enlisted club.
What began as a simple conversation between the 35th Fighter Wing commander and the 35th Maintenance Group executive officer developed into a free amateur fight night involving the entire base.
2nd Lt. Megan McDondough, 35th MXG executive officer, put together a program to allow military members, civilians or contractors to set foot in the ring and put their boxing skills to the test. These fights are not to be confused with oversized gloves in a bouncy castle, she explained. The fighters wore 18-ounce gloves and were required to have prior training. Boxers were given one minute to rest in between the three two-minute rounds and followed the same rules as amateur boxing matches.
"U.S. amateur fighters wear 16 ounce gloves; so, 18 ounces are not going to be a big difference from any match outside the base," said the lieutenant.
Approximately 28 people signed up to fight, and were paired up according to their weight classes. Members from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, civilians and military members signed up to participate. Gold and silver medals were given to the winners, but all boxers received a medal for participating.
"Many people say there isn't much to do here but, with events like fight night people can have fun without leaving base," said Capt. Harold Tongson, 35th Fighter Wing executive officer. "Fight night was an awesome event and very successful."