Warren's boxing team

Second Lt. Derrick Burks, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron (Right), and Senior Airman Kevin Johnson, 90th MSFS (Left), spar during a practice at Fall Hall Community Center Aug. 2. Both Airmen are members of the Warren boxing team and are preparing for an upcoming Inter-service Boxing Exhibition on Aug. 24 (Photos by Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson).

Warren's boxing team

Capt. Rodney Ellison, 319th Missile Squadron, works on some basic maneuvers with Senior Airman Kurtis Buenting, 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron, during a practice Aug. 2 at the Fall Hall Community Center. Captain Ellison is the coach of the Warren boxing team and Airman Buenting has been on the team for more than one year.

Boxing offers Warren Airmen alternate workout

Published Sept. 21, 2007
By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson
90th Space Wing Public Affairs

F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Warren's Fall Hall Community Center offers a boxing program Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

The program teaches fundamentals in boxing and gets the Warren boxing team ready for upcoming events.

Capt. Rodney Ellison Jr., 319th Missile Squadron, is the team's coach.

Captain Ellison said he started boxing in 2000 when he was at the U.S. Air Force Academy and has been the Air Force boxing champion for the 178 pound weight class since 2006.

He said the way he likes to run practices is by doing a lot of standard drills on Mondays and Tuesdays and then sparring on Thursdays.

"We do bag drills, jump rope, basic defensive and offensive drills and work on a lot of cardio Monday and Tuesday," Captain Ellison said. "Thursdays I like to get the guys in the ring to practice some of the things we have been doing."

The community center has all the gear needed to start boxing and the only thing anyone would have to purchase in their own mouthpiece, Captain Ellison said.

He also suggested that having basketball shoes or tennis shoes are some of the best footwear to use if they don't want to purchase boxing shoes.

"Tennis shoes and basketball shoes have sufficient grip not to slip and offer good ankle support," Captain Ellison said. "But using running shoes or cross-training shoes can be difficult because they are built for grip and can make it difficult to move around on the canvas."

The team is looking for new members, and anyone who is willing to learn is welcome to come join practices, he said.

One rule that Captain Ellison has is everyone must go to at least five practices before they get into the ring.

"I want to make sure they know some of the basics before getting into the ring," he said.

The team's next big event is the Inter-service Boxing Exhibition that takes place 7 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Fall Hall Community Center. The doors open at 6 p.m., and there is a $2 cover charge.

For more information about joining the boxing team or checking out the boxing exhibition, call 773-3510.