Julian Lugo, 20, listens to remarks Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, during media day for the Rockford Boxing Classic at Rockford Patriots Boxing Club. Lugo is part of the main card at the classic on Saturday, Aug. 10. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Julian Lugo has been training with Rockford Patriots Boxing Club since he was 9. This Saturday may be his last chance to put his skills on display in front of the city while still in the amateur ranks.

Lugo, a 20-year-old 2022 Harlem High School graduate, hopes to make his professional debut by the end of the year. First, he’ll take on a tough challenge at the third annual Rockford Boxing Classic, an outdoor competition that draws hundreds to Rockford City Market pavilion in downtown.

“It’s amazing that the people from here will see me grow to my pro debut,” Lugo said Wednesday during media day at Patriots Boxing Club, 727 1st Ave. “It’s like me giving a little preview of what I can do so they come out to my pro debut. It means a lot to me — and just to see the community — that everyone comes together just to see me do what I love to do. It’s a blessing.”

The annual Rockford Boxing Classic features 13 bouts this year ranging from beginner to top-ranked amateurs. There’s also bouts between police officers and firefighters and a novelty match that pits Hammy the Rockford IceHogs mascot vs. Rally the Rivetsaurus from the Rockford Rivets.

In addition to Lugo, the Rockford Patriots Boxing Club will also have Josh Rios, Alec Arco, My’Aire King, Owen Perez, Caleb Chambers, Gus Wampfler and Ryan Mattingly on the card.

This will be Lugo’s third time in the Rockford Boxing Classic. He lost in his first year of competition and then last year overwhelmed his opponent in the second round to earn a TKO. He’s made a habit out of making short work of his bouts. He led USA Boxing in TKO stoppages in the elite division, said Jimmy Goodman, director of the Rockford Patriots Boxing Club.

The third annual Rockford Boxing Classic takes place Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at Rockford City Market pavilion. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Lugo has been a junior Golden Gloves national champion, the 2023 Chicago Golden Gloves champion and a bronze medalist at the 2024 National Golden Gloves tournament.

“That’s our plan is for him to turn pro by the end of this year,” Goodman said. “He’s ready to go.”

First, Lugo will face a tough fighter out of Chicago in Andres Enriquez. They’ll fight at 155 pounds.

“He’s fighting a guy who’s coming down in weight and who has beat some top-ranked guys out of the state,” Goodman said. “Julian is moving up a little bit in weight class, that guy’s coming down. He’s going to have his hands full with this young guy.”

The annual police vs. firefighter matches include officer James Nachampassack, who lost in a three-round slug fest to firefighter Ryan Taylor last year. Nachampassack faces Loves Park firefighter Jorge Mondragon this year. Representing the Loves Park Police Department is Danny Thompson, who will take on Jake Altenbernd from the Loves Park Fire Department. Cory Magnuson, a Rockford police officer who won his first year matchup, is back to face Dontez Boyd out of the Peoria Athletic Club.

Jimmy Goodman jokes with Hammy the Hog and Rally the Rivetsaurus on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, during media day for the upcoming Rockford Boxing Classic. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

Thompson said he doesn’t have any boxing experience, but he was asked to consider taking on the bout for the sake of charity.

“They made it sound very small when they first got a hold of me,” Thompson said. “A couple days later I was like, you know what it’s a charity event, it will be a good time. I’ll go for it.”

The event raises money for the Rockford Patriots Boxing Club, a division of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Patriots Gateway Community Center. It’s supported by a variety of sponsors, including the city’s Forward for Fun initiative that offers funding from its allotment of American Rescue Plan dollars.

“It goes to a great cause to make sure — we are fortunate to have this gym — that we continue to have this gym and it can continue to mentor and provide leadership and training both in the ring and in life to our young people,” Mayor Tom McNamara said.

If you go | Rockford Boxing Classic

When: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 (undercard bouts begin at 5 p.m.)

Where: Rockford City Market pavilion, State and Water streets in downtown

Admission: Free

Info: rockfordboxingclassic.com

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas