Warren members duke it out in the ring Published Dec. 12, 2006 By 2nd Lt. Lisa Meiman 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Eight men battled for supremacy and honor Saturday evening during exhibition boxing in the Fall Hall Community Center. There were four bouts with one welterweight, two middle weight and a heavy weight category. Each bout lasted three rounds of two minutes each. For the audience seated in folding chairs or the gym's bleachers, it was an event filled with entertainment, food and the chance to cheer on their buddies and coworkers. The welterweight, or light weight, category featured Airman 1st Class Kurtis Benting, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron, in the red corner and Airmen 1st Class Maurice Mixon, 90th MMXS, in the blue corner. It was a reasonably equal match-up throughout the fight. Most of the heavy punches landed in the second round, and the fighters kept the punches rolling until the end of the match. In the end, the judges determined Airman Benting to be the winner. The first middle weight bout pitted Airman Andre Bolden, 790th Missile Security Forces Squadron, in the red corner against Airman 1st Class Kristoffer Snow, 90 MMXS, in the blue corner. Both contenders exploded from their corners with fists flying in the beginning of rounds one and two in the fiercest match of the night, but Airman Bolden dominated the fight. However, Airman Snow refused to go down quietly and knocked Airman Bolden on his back with a nasty right hook in the third round. Airman Bolden quickly got up and both fighters finished the fight, but were noticeably tired in the third round. The judges named Airman Bolden the winner. The second middle weight bout was more evenly matched than the first. Airman Anthony Smith, 90th MSFS, in the red corner fought Airman 1st Class Martin Wallace, 90th Contracting Squadron, in the blue corner. During the first round, the fighters skillfully danced as they felt each other out. Reflecting more confidence, both fighters began round two with vicious and repeated attacks. Airman Wallace had more technical skill and experience in boxing than Airman Smith, repeatedly jabbing with his left before connecting solid right hooks when Airman Smith was unprepared. However, Airman Smith was a heavier hitter and when he connected, he battered Airman Wallace back. During the second round Airman Wallace floored Airman Smith onto his back with his powerful right hook. Airman Wallace recovered and finished the fight. The judges declared Airman Wallace the winner. The heavy weight category bout was considered the main event where former Air Force boxing team member Capt. Rodney Ellison, 319th Missile Squadron, in the red corner battled Airman 1st Class Shane Hilliard, 90th MMXS, in the blue corner. Both fighters' experience and skill presented itself through fancy footwork, controlled and patient attacks and the night's only uppercut by Captain Ellison in the second round. The challengers waited for prime opportunities to assault their opponent and spent much of the first round feeling each other out with pointed jabs. The boxers' techniques became apparent in the second and third rounds. Airman Hilliard would begin his offensive alternating jabs, hooks and crossovers. Captain Ellison would wait patiently for Airman Hilliard's offensive, sacrificing his body to some brutal hits, then swing hard and fast when Airman Hilliard's attacks left his face unprotected. Though the match was close, the judges determined Captain Ellison the winner.