Ramiro Ruiz, 14, works up a sweat shadowboxing in the corner of the basement
gym. Adalia Corriveau spars with Molly McConnell, a professional boxer who outweighs
her by 30 pounds. Gavin Scott, 18, shrugs off a bloody nose as a small price
to pay for getting into top shape.
"I'm a little nervous about the tournament, but I'm going to do my best," said Scott, a Sherwood High senior, as he dabbed at his bruised nose.
These young boxers will join other members of the West Portland Boxing Club to test their skills this weekend in the ninth annual Fred Enslow Memorial Boxing Tournament. At least 150 amateur boxers from Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Washington and California are expected to participate.
Participants from age 8 to 35 will compete in three-round bouts at the Garden Home Recreation Center starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. The single-elimination matches will continue through the afternoon, with semifinal matches at 7 p.m.
Championship bouts by age and weight class will get under way at noon Sunday.
Admission each day is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12.
Rose Myhre, or Mom to the young boxers, can hardly contain her enthusiasm. For the past 26 years, she and her husband, Bill Meartz, have coached thousands of young athletes in an effort to develop their boxing prowess. The couple's interest extends beyond the ring to helping kids stay in school and with family problems. They have raised money for equipment and travel to prestigious tournaments in Kansas City and Chicago.
This month, some of the best amateur boxers on the West Coast are coming to their gym.
"I'm proud of all our boxers, and I know that they'll hold their own against all comers," said Myhre, as she hugged two sweaty young men after an intense workout. "For the first time, we've received a lot of interest from California because word has gotten out about the quality of our tournament and how fairly we treat everyone who comes."
It's outside the limelight, Myhre said, that she feels the most satisfaction.
"You look at the level of dedication and self-discipline of these kids -- and what so many of their home situations are like -- and you have to feel proud," she said.
Three times a week, between 50 and 60 athletes work out in the cramped basement at the Garden Home center under the couple's supervision. Parents sit quietly against one wall as the boxers tape their hands and move from station to station, skipping rope, punching leather bags and running through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises.
Everyone is focused and intense, but no one loses track of the ring in the room's center.
Suddenly, a bell sounds and Meartz announces the next pairing. Two 10-year-olds immediately bounce out of the crowd and duck under the ropes. They dance on their toes as Meartz checks their headgear, mouthpieces and laces on their blue, 12-ounce gloves.
"When I see that they are ready, I'll bring them in for a couple of rounds of sparring," he said.
After giving the fighters individual instructions, Meartz waves them to the middle with one instruction: "Box."
He stays in the ring, watching the youngsters circle and exchange well-padded punches.
"Box, don't fight," Meartz calls to the shorter boy, then turns to his opponent and urges him, "Jab. Jab. Take advantage of your long arms."
Between rounds and at the end of the match, Meartz holds court with the flush-faced fighters, quietly offering words of encouragement. A final handshake and he sends them on their ways.
When Logan Christian, 15, takes to the ring, his mother, April, moves across the room for a better view.
"Logan was so shy three years ago that
you could hardly hear him above a whisper," she said. "Now, he has
great confidence in himself, speaks up and once told me, 'Mom, after going up
against some pretty tough guys in the ring, nothing scares me.' "