Boxing tourney set for Saturday at Roy Walker

CLOVIS - A one-day boxing tournament is about to be staged in Clovis.

Elijio and Lacy Sena, who run the local Sinner's Den Boxing Gym program, have put together the "One More Round" boxing event for next Saturday at Roy Walker Community Center. About 30 bouts are scheduled.

The competition begins around 5 p.m., Elijio Sena said. Doors at Roy Walker will open at 4 p.m.

Weight classes are from 55 pounds to heavyweight. The Clovis group includes 35 fighters ranging in age from eight to 17.

"We'll have 12 local Clovis fighters that are participating," Elijio Sena said. "Things have been going pretty good. We've been taking them out of town to tournaments."

Sena coaches the local group, along with assistants Earl Large Jr., Hector Lopez and Mike Pippin.

Elijio Sena, an eight-time state Golden Gloves champion who had five professional fights, said teams from Texas and New Mexico, and possibly one from Colorado, are slated to participate in the event.

Among the showcase fighters from Clovis are Eli Archibeque, a New Mexico Silver Gloves champion at 65 pounds, and Angel Chavarria, a 150-pounder who recently won a Golden Gloves title in Texas.

The Elite Open division, which includes boxers with at least 20 previous bouts, has three-round matches of three minutes apiece.

"These kids have had more than 20 bouts," Sena said. "Some have had more than 50."

The Novice division, for those with less than 20 bouts, has three rounds of either one or two minutes.

In the past, Clovis has hosted state Golden Gloves competition. Sena said the city has applied to have Golden Gloves return to Roy Walker, possibly next year.

"We're crossing our fingers," he said. "We're trying to get that back over here."

Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 5-12 and free for 4 and under, Sena said, adding that admission for military personel with an ID is $8.