A local boxing club that first swung into action during the COVID-19 pandemic is preparing to host its first amateur event. Marking a significant milestone for the Owensboro Boxing Club (OBC), the event is slated for Oct. 14 at the National Guard Armory on 3300 Tamarack Road.
The OBC’s journey began in a storage building and under the leadership of brothers Jordan and Zach McCarthy. Alongside coach Justin Alexander, the club evolved into a fully equipped boxing gym with multiple punching bags, areas for footwork and specialty skills, and an official-sized boxing ring.
The upcoming event will showcase competitors, spanning from Tennessee to Indiana and ranging in age from 8 to adults. Twenty matches will be held throughout the evening. The event costs $20, and attendees can anticipate meeting trainers and participants. Food and concessions will be available. Doors open at 1 p.m.
Victorious boxers will not walk away empty-handed. Each winner will clinch a custom championship belt. But for many at the OBC, the rewards transcend physical accolades.
For Alexander and the team, boxing’s allure is multifaceted.
“Our goal is to teach members the skills to box including form and technique as well as working on balance and reflexes, agility, stamina, coordination, strength, and timing,” he said. “We also focus on the non-physical attributes like discipline, building self-confidence, self-control, and dealing with stress and anxiety. Our gym is a safe place for people to learn how to be the best that they can be all while keeping them active and getting them in great shape at the same time.”
Alexander said anyone and everyone is welcome to join the OBC.
“Once a member learns the basic skills and if they are ready, we begin training for competitions. Matches are held frequently throughout the year and members have an opportunity at the Golden Gloves tournament where the best of the best compete,” he said.
Participants train in a group each session but break into group based on age and experience level.
The club’s evening ritual, termed “Open Gym,” encapsulates its communal spirit. Regular training sessions end with coaches dedicating time for one-on-one guidance and experienced members mentoring newcomers.
“I think one of the main things that contributes to the club’s success is our coaches’ passion and the family atmosphere within the team,” Alexander said. “We make sure all of our members know that they are more than just a boxer. They are family. To us, it’s not just about teaching people techniques but also about building relationships with each of our members that go beyond boxing. We put our whole hearts into coaching and want each member to grow not just as a boxer but also as a person. Our job as a coach doesn’t end in the ring. It continues outside of the ring as well.”
