By Jennie Miller SOUTHFIELD — The organization that has produced 39 world champion boxers since 1969 is bringing the excitement to Southfield at 7 p.m. March 13. “I think it’ll be a great event, and I hope people will come out and enjoy it,” Ted Davis, programmer for the Southfield Parks and Recreation Department, said of the Kronk Youth Boxing Team taking on members of the Mexican Youth Team in a championship tournament. “It’ll be probably some of the best boxing you’ve seen locally,” said Connie Shamoun of Kronk Boxing, adding that the boxers will range in age from 6 to 16. Shamoun, of Beverly Hills, is the event planner for the organization, and her son, Zachariah Shamoun, 16, will be boxing in the upcoming event. “Our boxers, this group that is fighting on March 13, these are all national champions that are very dedicated to the sport,” she said. “We travel all over the world.” She said it’s great for youth to get involved in the sport because of all they gain from the work. “People think they’re trying to get frustrations and anger out, but that’s not the case,” she said. “It teaches them discipline. My son struggled with reading, but since he started boxing, his grades have tremendously improved.” While membership at Kronk Boxing is $50 a year, the traveling that is involved can get expensive, Shamoun said, which is why events like the one in Southfield serve as fundraising ventures to help offset the costs. “We try to take a big burden of the financial responsibility off the parents,” she said. The city of Southfield was happy to open its doors to Kronk Boxing. “We’ve been talking with Kronk for a while about putting something together,” Davis said. “It’s a different, exciting event for us. … Youth boxing (is) very popular in Detroit. I’ve been to their gym on Warren, and it is literally hundreds of kids. … Every community center in Detroit used to have their own boxing team, but with the closures of community centers, there are so fewer opportunities now. But it’s still a pretty popular sport.” The Southfield Pavilion is going to look a little different come boxing day. “We’ll have a ring brought in, and there will be VIP seating around the ring for the sponsors and the mayors and council members, and chairs will be set up,” he said. “We’re looking to have about 1,300 people in the Pavilion.” There will be a mariachi band performing at the event, and Pancho Villa’s Mexican Cuisine will serve tacos, donating all proceeds to the organization. Tickets cost $12 per person, and are available at the door the night of the event or prior to the event at the Parks and Recreation Department’s information desk. The doors open at 5 p.m. For more information, call (248) 796-4677 or visit www.kronkgym.com. You can reach Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1108. |
