T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM — Adan Rodriguez, a coach at Liver Shot Boxing Club, walks to the ring for his fight with Scott Bruse. The bout was during Fight Night Boxing, sponsored by Real Fighters Association. The first professional amateur boxing event in Des Moines, it was hosted at the RecPlex in West Des Moines on Saturday.

WEST DES MOINES — Marshalltown was represented at the first ever professional amateur boxing event in West Des Moines.

Fight Night Boxing, sponsored by Real Fighters Association, the event was promoted by Gilbert Gonzales of Clive, originally from Marshalltown. He brought 22 boxers to the RecPlex in West Des Moines on Saturday, including Adan Rodriguez and Luis Garcia, both of Marshalltown. Rodriguez fought against Scott Bruse in one of four amateur bouts. Garcia fought Altrell Durr in another amateur fight.

Gonzales said Garcia agreed to fight with just one day’s notice.

“Holy smokes. That was incredible for that guy,” he said.

Gonzales said he was happy with the turnout, especially since it was the first event he promoted.

“I was expecting a decent turnout, but it was crazy,” he said. “There were so many people, there were no seats left and people had to stand. The next venue will have to be bigger.”

Gonzales is planning to have another boxing event in July and hopes Marshalltown will be the location.

“There’s been talk about it,” he said. “That is where I come from and there are really good boxers. Marshalltown is a tough little town.”

Gonzales also hopes to feature Jacob Youngbear, originally of Tama, in the next event. Youngbear was scheduled for the Fight Night Boxing title bout, competing for the cruiserweight title. Unfortunately, the fight was canceled because Youngbear’s opponent was injured.

“Hopefully he will be on the next card,” Gonzales said.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at (641) 753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.