Fite Nite strikes blows for a good cause |
| Posted by Administrator on Apr 09 2008 at 2:15 PM |
Photo by Garrett Ritonya
Participants in Fite Night duke it out. The event was sponsored by Sigma Tau Gamma and was used to raise funds for books for underprivileged children.
Vicki Althage
Antelope Staff
For University of Nebraska at Kearney senior Alan Shiers, boxing isn't just another sport it's a way of life.
Shiers picked the Sigma Tau Gamma's Annual Fite Nite for his boxing debut, coming out of the match more experienced and hungry for stronger competition.
Shiers has been preparing for his entrance into the ring for the last four months. He spent the first few months concentrating on cardio and strength training while developing a weekly fitness regimen. About a month ago, Shiers introduced boxing into his routine under the direction of Fitness 101's Chris Blair. Fitness 101 is Shiers' official sponsor and you can usually find him hanging out in the weight room.
"In a normal week I lift six times, run seven and box three days a week," Shiers said.
Shiers kicked off his match against a Cozad fighter coming out strong in the first round.
"The first 20 to 30 seconds were really nerve wracking, but once I relaxed the fight was easy," Shiers said.
Shiers went into the second round barely winded and dominated the fight from beginning to end. Shiers saw the end of his first match when the referee called the fight in the middle of the second round.
"The ref stopped the fight and declared a TKO. When it was over, I felt over trained and a little disappointed, I would have liked to box more," Shiers said.
A TKO, or technical knockout, can be declared when the referee or other judges (such as official ring physician, the fighter himself, or the fighter’s cornermen) decide that a fighter cannot continue the match, even though he did not fail the count.
Shiers hopes Fite Nite is just the beginning of his boxing career.
"There are a couple of fights in Omaha and Grand Island that I'd like to get in on, I think I'd have a pretty good advantage since the guys I train with are bigger than my competition. Blair fights UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) but I plan on just sticking to boxing," Shiers said.
