thedrifter
09-03-06, 07:08 AM
Boxers to answer bell at regional tournament
Sunday, September 3, 2006
By Courtney Greve
Staff writer
War can't stop Morgan McGarry from training as a boxer.
On his second tour with the Marines in Iraq, the 25-year-old sergeant is armed with a punching bag, gloves and a jump rope.
"He's keeping in shape," said his father and coach, Martin McGarry.
Morgan stepped into the ring — conveniently located in his father's backyard boxing club — at age 12. The middleweight from Chicago's Beverly community has a respectable record and a few big wins to his name.
So when Martin McGarry organized the Police Athletic League of Illinois Boxing Championships, it was with the hope his son could compete. The regional competition Tuesday and Wednesday is a qualifier for nationals and a feeder for the Olympic trials.
The military messed up that plan. Morgan McGarry's tour was extended, and he will not return home until October.
"He's disappointed he can't be here," Martin McGarry said.
Danny Elsner, one of Morgan McGarry's sparring partners and the state heavyweight champion, wanted to compete to hold open a spot for his friend. The 19-year-old construction worker from Burr Ridge enlisted with the Marines and leaves for basic training Sept. 18.
If Elsner won, he said he would have vacated the title, giving McGarry the opportunity to win the championship during a fight-off.
But this scenario isn't working out either. McGarry won't be home in time to earn Elsner's title and go to the national competition in California, the elder McGarry said.
"It would've been nice if it all worked out," he said.
Even without his son in the ring, McGarry said the two-day tournament at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park will pack quite a punch.
About 60 male boxers will fight in the senior division (17 to 34 years old). A handful of women will square off, too. The preliminaries will be held Tuesday and the finals Wednesday night.
A few of McGarry's proteges from the McGarry Boxing Club will be in the mix.
"They try hard and train hard," he said. "They just want to win."
If you go
What: Police Athletic League of Illinois Boxing Championship
Where: 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park
When: Sept 5-6; Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets: $10; proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for boxers.
Courtney Greve may be reached at cgreve@dailysouthtown.com or 708 633-5983.
Ellie
Sunday, September 3, 2006
By Courtney Greve
Staff writer
War can't stop Morgan McGarry from training as a boxer.
On his second tour with the Marines in Iraq, the 25-year-old sergeant is armed with a punching bag, gloves and a jump rope.
"He's keeping in shape," said his father and coach, Martin McGarry.
Morgan stepped into the ring — conveniently located in his father's backyard boxing club — at age 12. The middleweight from Chicago's Beverly community has a respectable record and a few big wins to his name.
So when Martin McGarry organized the Police Athletic League of Illinois Boxing Championships, it was with the hope his son could compete. The regional competition Tuesday and Wednesday is a qualifier for nationals and a feeder for the Olympic trials.
The military messed up that plan. Morgan McGarry's tour was extended, and he will not return home until October.
"He's disappointed he can't be here," Martin McGarry said.
Danny Elsner, one of Morgan McGarry's sparring partners and the state heavyweight champion, wanted to compete to hold open a spot for his friend. The 19-year-old construction worker from Burr Ridge enlisted with the Marines and leaves for basic training Sept. 18.
If Elsner won, he said he would have vacated the title, giving McGarry the opportunity to win the championship during a fight-off.
But this scenario isn't working out either. McGarry won't be home in time to earn Elsner's title and go to the national competition in California, the elder McGarry said.
"It would've been nice if it all worked out," he said.
Even without his son in the ring, McGarry said the two-day tournament at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park will pack quite a punch.
About 60 male boxers will fight in the senior division (17 to 34 years old). A handful of women will square off, too. The preliminaries will be held Tuesday and the finals Wednesday night.
A few of McGarry's proteges from the McGarry Boxing Club will be in the mix.
"They try hard and train hard," he said. "They just want to win."
If you go
What: Police Athletic League of Illinois Boxing Championship
Where: 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park
When: Sept 5-6; Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets: $10; proceeds benefit a scholarship fund for boxers.
Courtney Greve may be reached at cgreve@dailysouthtown.com or 708 633-5983.
Ellie