Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Staff photo: Kevin Wilson Jesus Varela, 16, works on his defense during a “shadow boxing” drill Wednesday at Roy Walker Recreation Center. Varela is scheduled to for his fourth fight Saturday.
link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson
Jesus Varela, 16, works on his defense during a “shadow boxing” drill Wednesday at Roy Walker Recreation Center. Varela is scheduled for his fourth fight Saturday.
STAFF WRITER
The bell is set to go off Saturday afternoon at Roy Walker, with Nexstar Boxing stepping into the ring.
About four or five fighters from Clovis will be part of a 21-fight exhibition Saturday afternoon at Roy Walker Recreation Center starting at 2 p.m. with estimates of three hours of action.
Tickets for the Nexstar exhibition are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger.
Tony Romero, a local trainer and an organizer for the event, said the fighters range from 9 to 28 years old, and visiting boxers are coming from as far west as Gallup and as far east as Lubbock.
“They’re pretty evenly-matched as far as skills, weight, number of fights,” Romero said.
Jesus Varela, 16, will enter his fourth fight Saturday when he takes on Enrique Diaz of Gallup in the 125-pound featherweight class.
Why does Varela, a junior-to-be at Clovis High School, enjoy the sport instead of other athletic pursuits?
“I like fighting,” said Varela, who has been in the sport for about a year. “You’re only thinking about the person in front of you.”
Romero said proceeds from Saturday’s ticket and concession stand sales provide funding to equip the gym and defray travel costs. Several Clovis fighters are prepping for a similar event July 11-12 in Eunice.
“We’ve got people who help us out, but we want to not wait for a handout and do our part,” Romero said. “Hopefully, we experience a good turnout.”
