PYEONGTAEK, South Korea — The Camp Carroll sports director is issuing a friendly challenge to servicemembers: Sign up for next month’s boxing invitational in Waegwan.
“We’re challenging those Marines — all the other services — to come in and get a piece of the crown, or at least try to get a piece of the crown, because I’ll tell you, we have a lot of great boxers here,” director Carlos Algarin said Monday.
The Tough Soldier Boxing Invitational is set for Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Camp Carroll fitness center, Building 135.
It’s open to all servicemembers — men and women — and to South Korean augmentees to the U.S. Army.
Each bout consists of three two-minute rounds.
Algarin hopes to have no fewer than 10 bouts on the card. He also is in touch with South Korean civilian boxing clubs in nearby Daegu city about sending fighters for a separate set of exhibition matches on fight night.
Those wanting to sign up to fight can call Algarin at DSN 865-8287 or DSN 865-8118 no later than Sept. 6, he said. Callers also can ask for sports specialist Kim Su-yop.
The weigh-in and medical exams are scheduled from 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on fight day.
Only those who pass the physical can be considered for a spot on the card, Algarin said.
“Right after that, I get to work myself, pairing all the matches,” he said.
Fighters must provide their own custom-made or individually fitted mouthpiece, Algarin said.
“If soldiers don’t have one … they can always contact their local sports director,” he said. “Everything else will be provided down here. Pretty much we suit all of them with the gloves, shirt, shorts, headgear, everything.”
The most recent Army boxing tournament was July 29 at Camp Humphreys, which featured 12 bouts, said Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring.
“Right now, we’re focusing on Camp Carroll,” Herring said. “We’re all going to go out and support Camp Carroll. We’re going to assist him (Algarin) in having a successful bout out there.
“We have folks signing up already,” Herring said.
