 The tournament, held Aug. 4 through Aug. 8, is one of the largest open events in the boxing year. More than 1,300 fighters competed over four days, with Garcia and Roberts laying claim to the 152-pound novice and 125-pound female open divisions respectively.
For All-Marine boxing coach Ron Simms, the Ringside tournament was a highlight of his time with the team, stationed aboard Camp Lejeune. The fact that both of his fighters came home with championship belts is only part of the story.
“It was awesome,” said Simms. “We had two Marines there and every time they stepped into the ring, the civilian spectators were cheering for the Marine Corps. It was like they were celebrities, and it brought a tear to my eye.”
For Garcia, the Ringside tournament marked a return to competitive boxing after a four-year hiatus. The 24-year-old Marine started boxing when he was 16 in Orlando, Fla., but put it aside when he joined the Corps in 2004. “I’ve deployed to Iraq twice since then, but when I came to Camp Lejeune three weeks ago, I saw the opportunity to get back to the sport I love. It’s truly a blessing.”
Simms admitted he would not normally consider taking a boxer to a national competition after just 2-1/2 weeks with the team, but he saw something special in Garcia.
“Some unfortunate circumstances kept me from bringing the Marines I intended to take, but after watching Garcia spar in the gym, I saw he had the heart to maybe go to Kansas City and do something, and he did.”
Garcia fought four times on his way to the title in a division with more than 20 boxers from across the nation. In his first two fights, the newest All-Marine said he felt confident and in control. The final two bouts, however, took all of the strength and determination he had. “The last fight (against Angel Snow, of Toledo, OH) was really hard. That guy hit really hard and was a solid fighter, but I managed to pull it off.”
In Garcia, Simms said he has a boxer who throws a lot of punches and can see opponents’ punches coming. “I’m not going to say his conditioning is where it needs to be, because it’s not,” said Simms. “We’re going to mold him into doing things the proper way, so he expends less energy, and we’re going to get him into shape.”
For his part, Garcia said he is ready for the challenge. “(Joining the All-Marine team) has made me happier. I hope to fight for as long as I can here.”
In the women’s featherweight division, Roberts proved her ability to adapt by overcoming a taller, international fighter in the final. Though New Zealander Alexis Prichard held a distinct reach advantage, Roberts moved in close and worked her opponent over with a persistent overhand hook. Roberts was announced the winner when Prichard did not answer the bell in the second round.
“It was my first international fight and she (Prichard) fought Olympic-style, straight up and straight forward,” said Roberts. “I don’t like fighting girls who are taller than me because they make me look small. It brings out the fire in me. I felt nervous before the fight, but my coaches, Mr. Simms and Andre Rosier, hyped me up. I thought, ‘I’m from the U.S. and I can do this.’”
Simms said he could not be more pleased with Roberts, who is expected to transfer from New York to Camp Lejeune and start training with the All-Marine Boxing Team in September. “Melissa is a beast,” he said. “She understands everything you tell her to do and does it. She stepped into her opponent and let her hands go, and that’s all it took.” |
