750 fans watched the March Thunder VI boxing event in Kansas City, Kansas Part 1 of 2

750 boxing fans were in attendance to March Thunder VI

The annual amateur boxing event organized by the American GI Forum of Kansas City (AGIF), Kansas called March Thunder was a hit with the local community.

In spite of the troubled economy, 750 boxing fans attended the event in support of their local boxers and the local chapter of the American GI Forum.

The event was held in the National Guard Armory in Kansas City, Kansas last Saturday night. Boxing fans throughout the Kansas City area of both states cheered on their local gyms from Lawrence, Kansas to Springfield, Missouri.

The Kansas City Kansas Police Athletic League - American GI Forum (KCK PAL-AGIF) boxing team was the hosting boxing club headed by coach Greg Conchola. Greg was the matchmaker of the event and the fights were well matched. There were only two stoppages with the remaining 18 fights going the distance. The many close fights kept the excitement well paced throughout the evening.

Christina Enriquez was the head organizer of this years March Thunder in place of her brother, Ricardo Moreno. The attendance was better than past years and the success was equal to its first year, six years ago, when the first March Thunder had 800 in attendance.

"Each year we have had great fights. I can't think of any year, fight, or remark that was not positive of the actual show. It seems to get better every year as we add attractions and inform our patrons of what our organization is doing," said Christina.

Miss KC Metro AGIF, Diana Reyes with sister, Lauren

Miss KC Metro AGIF

The Miss KC Metro AGIF, Diana Reyes, was at the scholarship fund-raising booth putting together gift baskets for the raffle. She is responsible for organizing the scholarship fundraisers in her role as Miss KC Metro AGIF.

There are five recipients of the 2009-2010 AGIF KC Metro Chapter Scholarships. Diana will be attending Kansas University.

The event had vendors selling t-shirts, memorabilia, and the concession was impressively affordable. The prices ranged from $1 to $3 for a variety of favored Mexican food and along with the typical concession snacks.

The evening kicked off with the KC Metro Color Guard bringing in the US Flag and the singing of the National Anthem.

Gerardo 'El Tremendo' Robles aka Lalo

Professional boxer Gerardo "El Tremendo" Robles was recognized during the mid-intermission. He gave words of encouragement to the boxers who were participating in the event. His words confirmed the sentiments of many boxing fans that the boxers were all winners for their hard work and commitment.

Gerardo, known as Lalo in the community, graduated from Wyandotte High School in 2000. He began his amateur boxing career with the KC Golden Gloves winning a championship at the Ringside National Tournament.

Lalo is currently ranked 12th with the NABO (North American Boxing Organization) and his record is 9 wins (5 KOs) with 9 losses in the lightweight division. Lalo recently returned from Los Angeles, California. He had trained with Freddie Roach at the popular Wild Card Gym. His next fight is against Derrick Campos for this coming May.

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