Julian Lugo connects with a left hook on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, against Andres Enriquez during the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Julian Lugo, the local boxer on the verge of turning pro, earned another TKO victory at the amateur ranks.
Rockford police officer James Nachampassack redeemed himself after defeat in his boxing debut a year ago.
And Hammy the Hog flattened Rally the Rivetsaurus in a mascot match that brought laughs and cheers from the crowd.
Those are a few of the highlights Saturday from the third annual Rockford Boxing Classic, which brought hundreds of people to Rockford City Market pavilion in downtown for 13 bouts in a wide range of skill levels.
Lugo, perhaps, had the most to prove out of anyone on the card. The 20-year-old out of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club expects this to be his final amateur match in front of his hometown crowd. He and Rockford Patriots Boxing Club director Jimmy Goodman plan for Lugo to enter the professional ranks by the end of the year.
Lugo leads USA Boxing in TKO stoppages in the elite division, according to Goodman. He earned another Saturday night, defeating Andres Enriquez by TKO at 1:36 into the third of three rounds.
“I thought it was an amazing fight. I thought I put on an amazing show. Last round TKO, I don’t think you can do much better than that,” he said. “Put on a whole three round show and still finish the job at the end. I think it was beautiful.”
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Jimmy Goodman counts out Rally the Rivetsaurus on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, during the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Lugo is a junior Golden Gloves national champion, the 2023 Chicago Golden Gloves champion and a bronze medalist at the 2024 National Golden Gloves tournament.
“I thought it went amazing. I love all my people. I love Rockford. I’m so glad they came out to see me. It’s just a blessing,” Lugo said. “If you come next year I may not be here, but I promise there will be boxers on the come up that will be just like me.”
One of those newer fighters is Gus Wampfler, another product of the Rockford Patriots Boxing Club who was in his eighth bout. Wampfler won in a unanimous three-round decision over Travis Wilson.
“My opponent was good and strong. He had a lot of heart and he had good conditioning,” Wampfler said. “He kept coming. He didn’t get tired like I was planning, so I had to really step up.”
Gus Wampfler lands a right hand on Travis Wilson on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, during the Rockford Boxing Classic at Rockford City Market pavilion. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Wampfler said the event was good for Rockford and the sport of boxing.
“This is a great event. This is probably one of my favorite events I’ve ever been at,” he said. “Great atmosphere, the crowd is always loud — and big.”
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The event also featured two police vs. firefighter matches, with the two sides splitting victories.
First, Loves Park firefighter Jake Altenbernd defeated Loves Park police officer Danny Thompson. Both came into the fight without any boxing experience, but happy to participate and help raise money to support the local boxing club.
“It’s pretty crazy once you’re up there, all the energy you can feel from the crowd,” Altenbernd said. “I had no idea what to expect and everybody was cheering us on. It keeps you fighting.”
Rockford police officer James Nachampassack has his hand raised in victory on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown Rockford. Nachampassack won by decision in three rounds over Jorge Mondragon. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)Nachampassack, a Rockford police officer, made his boxing debut at the Classic a year ago and was defeated in a decision against the bigger Ryan Taylor, a Rockford fightfighter.
This year, with more experience under his belt, Nachampassack defeated Loves Park firefighter Jorge Mondragon.
“It was great redemption, I loved it. Second year doing it — let’s go again,” said Nachampassack, whose corner calls him Champ. “My first time here, tunnel vision, this time I saw faces, saw smiles, heard voices. A little experience helps a lot.”
He said the atmosphere was “electric.”
“It’s great for the community. It brings us all together,” Nachampassack said. “Rockford is going through some tough things and things like this bring us together.”
Results
Julian Lugo has his hand raised after a TKO victory on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)- Rockford police officer James Nachampassack defeats Loves Park firefighter Jorge Mondragon.
- Julian Lugo of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club defeats Andrews Enriquez of Chicago Youth Boxing Club.
- Loves Park firefighter Jake Altenbernd defeats Loves Park police officer Danny Thompson.
- Dontez Boyd of Peoria Athletic Club defeats Rockford police officer Corey Magnuson
- Gus Wampfler of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club defeats Travis Wilson of Conflict.
- William Sessa of Gregory Boxing defeats Ryan Mattingly of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club.
- Hammy the Hog defeats Rally the Rivetsaurus
- Caleb Chambers of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club defeats Julian Murillo of Valencia.
- Joel Abarca of Power Boxing in Chicago defeats Colin Long of Ferarra Pan.
- Owen Perez of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club defeats Ibriham Yass.
- My’Aire King of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club defeats Andrew Knapp of AWDF Silva in Dixon.
- Alec Arco of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club defeats Kevin Gonzalez of Chicago Youth Boxing Club.
- Afaan Aleem of Power Boxing in Chicago defeats Armani Johnson of Dark Horse in Chicago.
- Yousef Yass defeats Josh Rios of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club.
More photos
Julian Lugo closes in on his opponent on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rockford police officer Corey Magnuson squares off with Dontez Boyd of Peoria Athletic Club on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Camila Rodriguez holds up a round card on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, during the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Gus Wampfler, red, of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club squares off with Travis Wilson on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rockford police officer James Nachampassack lands a right hand on Loves Park firefighter Jorge Mondragon on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Travis Wilson throws a right at Gus Wampfler on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Loves Park firefighter Jake Altenbernd poses with Camila Rodriguez after winning his bout on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Loves Park firefighter Jake Altenbernd lands a right hand on Loves Park police officer Danny Thompson on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Merry Trotter displays the round card on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Jimmy Goodman counts out Rally the Rivetsaurus on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, during the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Gus Wampfler lands a right hand on Travis Wilson on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, during the Rockford Boxing Classic at Rockford City Market pavilion. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
William Sessa of Gregory Boxing squares up with Ryan Mattingly of Rockford on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Rockford police officer James Nachampassack, right, faces off with Loves Park firefighter Jorge Mondragon on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
Gus Wampfler, red, of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club squares off with Travis Wilson on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, at the Rockford Boxing Classic in downtown. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)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