A-Square Fight Club : All posts

with video: James Taylor among three boxers to represent A-Square Fight Club at Junior Olympic nationals

A-Square Fight Club's James Taylor, 16, lands a punch on Fernando Martinez, Jr., 15, of South Bend, Ind. during the 110-pound division final at the 2011 Junior Olympic Boxing Regional Championships on Sunday at the Saline Fairgrounds.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

A-Square Fight Club owner Eric McGuire moved with an uncharacteristic swagger inside a pole-barn that served as a boxing arena at the Saline Fairgrounds on Sunday.

Escorting his only boxer of the weekend, James Taylor, to the ring, McGuire projected confidence as though any excess would make its way to his pupil by way of osmosis. His stern face glowing from Vaseline and sweat, Taylor stomped about the ring with the same confidence of his coach prior to the opening bell.

Taylor’s many ring-side supporters screamed in support, including his mother, Dalion Thompson, and four-month-old niece, Genesis.

slideshow: Images from the final day of Junior Olympic boxing at the Saline Fairgrounds

The 2011 Junior Olympic Boxing Regional Championships, hosted by Ann Arbor-based boxing club A-Square Fight Club, came to a conclusion Sunday at the Saline Fairgrounds. AnnArbor.com photographer Melanie Maxwell was there to capture the action.

slideshow: Images from Day 1 of the Junior Olympic boxing national qualifier at the Saline Fairgrounds

Ann Arbor-based boxing club A-Square Fight Club is hosting the 2011 Junior Olympic Boxing Regional Championships at the Saline Fairgrounds this weekend.

Photographer Jeffrey Smith captured Saturday's action for AnnArbor.com. Boxing will resume at 2 p.m. Sunday with A-Square Fight Club's James Taylor scheduled to fight in the 110-pond division championship within the first hour of competition.

A-Square Fight Club boxers to compete in Junior Olympic national qualifier at Saline Fairgrounds

Jasmine Hampton doesn’t have the look of a fighter. Skinny with childishly plump cheeks, even with her gloves and headgear on, it’s hard to believe Hampton is about engage in combat when she flashes a wide, toothy smile.

That is until she slips her mouthpiece over those teeth and steps into the ring. Non-believers are converted as Hampton flashes her lightning-quick hands, fundamentally-sound footwork and surprising power.

Hampton, a 15-year-old freshman at Pioneer High School, is one of four fighters from Ann Arbor’s A-Square Fight Club who will compete at the 2011 Junior Olympic Boxing Regional Championships at the Saline Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.