Some of Utah’s best amateur boxing talent will return to Park City Saturday night for Rise Boxing’s second Mountain Mettle event.
There, Rise will hold 20 amateur fights for both the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation and the gym’s youth scholarship program. The two charities will split all funds raised.
The evening’s first fight will begin at 6 p.m. after the doors open at 5 p.m. The main event is expected to commence around 8 p.m.
“We’re really excited this year,” said planning committee member Jodi Atkinson. “We have seven people right now representing the gym, of all ages.”
Rise is in Summit Park and offers boxing, MMA and other martial arts classes. Most of their classes are low-contact. Pro boxer Maryguenn Vellinga founded the gym.
Vellinga founded the gym to help out nonprofits through boxing. She leads classes for those with Parkinsons, who benefit from the sport’s movement patterns.
Rise has over 30 people involved in its Parkinson’s classes. The classes run from 11 a.m. to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Rise has allotted 90 scholarships to kids this year to help them cover training and fighting costs.
“Ironic, isn’t it? Because, when you think of Muhammad Ali, and you know what he’s been through, it (boxing) most likely led to Parkinson’s,” added Atkinson. “There is a lot of study into how that (classes) helps them retain basic movement during the course of the day, the week, the year.”
Rise is considering putting on further, similar fundraising events in the future. Their fundraising goal Saturday is $25,000.
Tickets will cost $20 for adults and $10 for kids and can be purchased online or at the event, for the same prices. Donations are also welcome with ticket purchases.
All of the 20 fights will be USA Boxing sanctioned and lasting of three, one-minute rounds. All fighters, regardless of age or gender, will be wearing protective headgear.
“The Rise community is such a great community that are all there for the same reason,” said Atkinson. “Hopefully we’re gonna get great weather, and it’ll be something people don’t see every day, especially in Park City.”