College Fight Night at The Lyric Becomes the Talk of The Town
As a spectacle of intense competition and amateur prowess, the College Fight Night at The Lyric staged earlier this year, featuring over 30 amateur boxers in three different weight classes, marked a sell-out event. The organizers, Hit Fitness Oxford, curated an extravaganza that provided viewers will non-stop action and nail-biting rivalries.
Grant Young: The Cinderella Story of the Night
Among the numerous participants, one boxer stood out, captivating the audience not just with his fighting skills but also with his resilience. Grant Young, an Ole Miss student hailing from St Louis area, turned out to be a crowd favorite and a competition’s wild card. Navigating through a whirlwind of uncertainty and eventual victory, his journey was tantamount to a Cinderella story.
Beginnings of Uncertainty
Young, a middleweight boxer weighing 185 lbs, began his night on a rather dubious note. He lost his first bout in a split decision by a panel of Mississippi Athletic Commission judges, garnering audible disagreement from the audience who thought his night was virtually over even before it had actually begun.
The Turn of Events
Post this bout, Young was advised by his coach to “Stay ready…stay ready”. This later proved fruitful when, due to the tournament-style brackets, a boxer was forced to drop out of the competition owing to injuries, leading to Young’s unexpected reentry into the tournament. Turning the tables, Young emerged triumphantly from his second match, despite his opponent’s height and reach advantage. The match ended in a split decision in his favor.
The Championship Fight
As destiny would have it, Young’s competitor for the grand championship fight was none other than his training companion at Land Shark, Michael Pipinis. Described as a talented martial artist excelling in kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and MMA, Pipinis had trained for months side-by-side with Young. Despite training together, the impending possibility of facing each other in the ring led to a temporary break in their training partnership.
Demonstrating faith in his skills and ability to persevere, Young triumphed in the hard-fought championship match. It was an exhilarating night of boxing, which further smoothened Young’s resolve to return to the ring after a year-long hiatus
Credit Where It’s Due
The immense success of the College Fight Night event is duly credited to the exceptional promotional skills of Hit Fitness’s owner. Not only was the event a sell-out, but it also outshined all past records of the similar events that had been organized.
Takeaways and Future Aspirations
Reflecting on his performance, Young expressed his intent to work on certain gaps in his technique. Despite the victory, he admitted to the need for improvement in areas like head movement and punch execution. His future plans include exploring different fighting styles such as kickboxing and MMA, allowing him to continually enhance his skills.
