Local amateur boxers ready for different kind of rounds at Fish Head Cantina

Even when he's away from Mighty Moe's Boxing and Fitness gym, trainer Moe Rites is always thinking about the "Sweet Science."

To that end, while relaxing one evening at the Fish Head Cantina, Rites' preoccupation with the sport turned into a plan.

"I thought, 'this would be a nice place to put on a boxing show,'" he said.

He drew up a map for seating and presented the idea to owner Scott Fischer, who loved the idea.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, beginning at 3 p.m., there will be between 10 and 14 fights featuring amateur boxers from Mighty Moe's against other pugilists from all over the state.

Local favorites, such as Catonsville resident Greg Wright, will also be spotlighted. In fact, he's in the main event, slated for four two-minute rounds in the day's penultimate bout.

The rest of the fights will be limited to three rounds of two minutes each.

Two of the bouts include Arbutus residents and Lansdowne High students Sam Warfield and Brian Yakel.

Wright is the most polished of the local trio, having won six of his first nine fights.

"He has a lot of experience," said Rites, who recently moved his gym from Leeds Avenue to 5410 Maple Ave. "He works hard at everything he does, and he listens and throws a lot of punches."

Wright, currently a Towson University student, will fight a schoolmate and former sparring partner.

Warfield, a rising junior at Lansdowne, was the top pitcher on the Vikings' state finalist baseball team.

He started boxing at age 14 and won his first amateur bout earlier this summer.

"He is really tough," Rites said. "He broke the guy's nose. He reminded me of a little Rocky Marciano. He just kept coming and coming and coming."

Warfield caught the boxing bug from his uncle, Chico Dunlap, who will also be on the fight card with his two sons.

Warfield admitted being nervous before his first tussle, overcoming the jitters once he stepped into the ring.

"I had to clear my head and do what I've been learning for three years," he said.

He added that he'll be excited to mix it up in front of his friends and family in his own community.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," Warfield said.

Yakel has only been boxing since January. When Warfied talked him into joining the gym, Yakel tipped the scales at 310 pounds.

Having shed 56 pounds and added one amateur fight to his résumé, he's ready to go.

Although he lost an unpopular decision in his only bout, it was a strong learning experience.

"I didn't think I lost it, but I was too nervous in the ring and I didn't work my way in like I should have," said Yakel, who admitted that he likes getting hit and can't wait for his second bout. "I'm ready to fight today, and I'm going to hit harder."

Rites is just happy to have kids willing to get in the ring.

"It takes a lot of heart and courage to get in that ring," Rites said. "Every time they get out of that ring, I'm proud of them."

Rites is no novice to staging boxing shows. He's organized several at the Arbutus Fire Hall, although this is the first outside affair.

"It's something new," said Rites, who noted the event will be moved to Sunday, Aug. 21 if it rains. "Ticket sales are going great and I expect a lot of walkups."

The bouts will last until around 6:30 p.m. for an anticipated gathering of from 400 to 500 fans.

Tickets for the fights are $350 for a table of 10 while reserved individual seat tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. General admission seats are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

For more information on the boxing show, call Moe Rites at 410-300-4061.