Five Women’s Matches to Be on 10–Bout Card

Five Women’s Matches to Be on 10–Bout Card

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. (March 21, 2003) – One of the six women’s bouts on the 10-bout amateur boxing show to be held this Saturday at the Rave here has been canceled because one contestant, Natalie Gray, is prevented by snow from getting here from Denver. The other five female bouts will go as planned, according to Duke Roufus the promoter of the second Rumble at the Rave.

Headlining the women’s side of the card are Naquana Smalls of Peshtigo Boxing Club, who will face Caroline Barry, of Irish Hills Knights of Columbus Boxing Club, at 132 pounds. Smalls is national 2002 champ at that weight and ranked Number 1 by USA Boxing while Barry is national Golden Gloves champion for 2002 and ranked Number 2 by USAB.

Wisconsin’s 2003 light welterweight champion, Krista Savage of Chippewa Falls Boxing Club, is to tangle with Nasheba Thomas of Titan Boxing Club in Toledo, Ohio, in a 147-pound contest for what is expected to be a keenly competed match up. Krista’s sister, Melissa “Missy” Savage of the Chippewa Falls club, is matched with a in-state opponent, Tiffany Bucholz of Madison’s Ford’s Gym, in another 147-pound set to.

Two products of the Roufus Boxing Gym are to slated to make their amateur boxing debuts, although one athlete, Rebecca Mahin, has had some experience as a kick boxer. She will meet Princess Vele, Mohican Boxing Club, Keshena, Wisc., in another 132-pound match up. The other Roufus product, Erin Riley, will face Anna Keiser, Gust Boxing Gym, Marshfield, in a 132-pound event.

Roufus said he expected another match or two would be scheduled but was not sure who might be involved. Prior to the cancellation of Denver’s Gray from T’s Gym,, Roufus noted there was one more female bout than men’s. Roufus is a staunch supporter of women’s boxing and has designed this program to feature them. He told WBAN that he expected women’s boxing to become a major sports attraction within the next ten years. He works hard to make the amateur events he promotes “fighter friendly”, as he puts it.

He makes sure boxers have assured opponents before traveling to shows; that they have everything they need at the arena to make the experience a pleasurable one; that the entrants are fed well, and that they get nice trophies. He is a tireless promoter of the sport and encourages his women gym members to participate if they have any interest. None is forced to compete if they do not wish to, however.

The show is scheduled to start at 7 P.M., Saturday, with doors at the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave., to open at 6 P.M. All tickets are reserved seating at $30 for VIP ringside, $20 ringside and $10 balcony.