MILWAUKEE, March 8 – In gyms around Wisconsin amateur boxers are honing their skills as opportunities to gain experience in the ring roll in. In March alone there are four in-state programs starting this Saturday in Eau Claire; then on to Oshkosh and Caledonia, Minn., right across the border, both March 15; the next week there’s a program in Milwaukee on March 22, then a pro/am show in Janesville on March 28. In addition, next door, in Illinois, on March 22, there is a fund raiser in Libertyville. And then there’s the return to Milwaukee of the big show, the Wisconsin Golden Gloves which runs over three weekends starting with April 16, 26 and the finals May 3. There is an announced professional show March 15 at the Ho-Chunk Casino in the Dells but the card has not yet been completed.

The athletes are aware of this scheduling and are working hard to be ready to win their versions of the gold. WBAN is making the rounds of some of the gyms in Milwaukee to see what is going on. First stop was Duke Roufus Gym where four women were working out; all relative newcomers to the sport but looking forward to their first contests in the ring. For the women in training at the Roufus gym they had only to look on the wall of the facility to see a large poster advertising the Rumble in the Rave for March 22 and be inspired. At least four women’s bouts are advertised and Roufus said he expected there would be more but didn’t want to overstate something he wasn’t completely certain about.

Prominently featured on the poster is Naquana Smalls who will appear to face an opponent yet to be named. Smalls is not only top ranked lightweight woman in the United States but also is WBAN’s March Fighter of the Month. She boxes out of Willy Price’s Peshtigo Boxing Club.

Among the media sponsors logos showing on the poster is that of WBAN. Hard at work training at the Roufus gym this week were Erin Riley, 18, 138; Rebecca Mahin, 29, 132; Erika Rademacher, 21, 138, and a fourth woman who declined to be interviewed because she is leaving in a couple of weeks for enlistment in the air force. She will not be competing in the Rumble at the Rave on March 22. None of the other three has had a competitive bout but all are eagerly waiting for their first experience in the ring.

Roufus makes as many matches as he can in advance so each boxer knows she has an opponent before she heads for the arena. Matches for this second amateur Rumble at the Rave are to begin at 7 P.M. with doors to open about 6 P.M. Tickets are all reserved seating and consist of VIP ringside at $30, ringside $20 and balcony $10. The Rave is at 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. Tickets may be obtained by calling 414-967-7767 and Master Card and Visa credit cards are acceptable.

(Inset in top photo: Erin Riley removes her headgear after a rough sparring session with her teammate Rebecca Mahin. Riley and Mahin are hoping to get matches at an amateur show the Duke Roufus Gym is putting on March 22 in Milwaukee. If successful it will be the first matches for either boxer although their age and weight difference make it unlikely either will face the other in a real bout.)