MHMA to host ‘Fight on the Hill’ Saturday
ATCHISON, Kan. (KQTV) — Maur Hill-Mount Academy in Atchison will play host to a joint boxing event on Sat. March 21, by USA Boxing and Johnson Brothers Boxing, named “Fight on the Hill”.
This isn’t the first fight that Johnson Brothers Boxing (JBB) has had a hand in hosting; however, it’s the first time they’ve crossed the river to Atchison. Recent connections with MHMA, formed through shared students, have led them to now welcome fight fans for bouts across various age groups.
Teaching the sport of boxing isn’t just about the technique, but the lessons that come along the way for part-owner and coach Thomas Huitt-Johnson.
“(MHMA teachers and staff) see the opportunities that this sport gives these children, these students, and you're going to be able to see it on display, the dedication, the heart that they bring to this sport. They'll exercise that in life, and we teach that at our gym,” Huitt-Johnson shared. “Mainly because we are dealing with people who are under 18, and some of them may be getting into some trouble at times, and you've got to have somebody there to help them out. Our gym is, you know, a staple of that.”
Fights are expected to begin around 6:00 pm, with doors opening around 5:00 pm. One of JBB’s athletes competing is 16-year-old Jose Cajigas, who attends MHMA.
This isn’t Cajigas’ first bout, however, he’s thrilled to put on his talents minutes away from his dorm for all of his friends, classmates, teachers, and more to see.
“I fight better when I know people are watching me. So I love that everybody's gonna be able to come watch me,” Cajigas said. “All of the people here treat me well. (JBB treats) each other well, and they help you get better.”
For some, like Cajigas in this gym community, the journey starts at a young age and aims to progress quickly. Another similar story is that of 16-year-old Micah McKay, who gives a lot of credit to boxing and to how it’s taught at JBB.
“I started when I was, like, 10 years old. I came to Johnson Brothers Boxing for, like, my birthday, and I was, like, I just want to try this. I want to try this after I seen, like, Rocky,” McKay told KQ2. “I've been doing it for a while, and so honestly, I just want to go into it, and then maybe come pro when I'm better.“
Also taking the ring at Haverty Gymnasium is 22-year-old JBB athlete Anthony Walton, who will be competing in the 198+ pound division.
JBB’s supportive environment among its athletes and coaches is what’s kept Walton in the ring since he began at 18.
“It's pretty nice to have somebody like that support us and stuff like that, especially with boxing and stuff. So it's good. We got a good family of people around us,” Walton stated. “Everybody's real close, and everybody supports each other. When you're down, everybody helps you up. And when you go up, everybody still helps you up. So that's the good part about this.
Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for adults, and $40 for a table, with tickets being sold at the door. The MHMA Gym, where the fights will take place, is located at 1000 Green Street in Atchison.
