???South Campus's Clark Hall houses a reliable fitness center, three-court basketball gym, pristine swimming pool and badminton court, but beneath all of these is where some of the hardest working people of the university congregate to learn the art of boxing.
The bomb shelter in Clark Hall's basement is where the members of Buffalo's boxing club trains, spars and competes to make themselves the best pugilists they can be. Run by club president John Evangelista, a senior engineering major, the boxing club caters to all members of the university.
From the junior looking to get her beach body toned for spring break to the freshman that needs something to stop that competitive itch lingering since the end of high school, every member finds the club useful.
"Anyone can join," Evangelista said. "Boxing is great if you are just looking to exercise because it is good for everything. Boxing provides both a great mental and physical workout. There is no shape quite like fight shape."
For those who may be fearful of the barbarism and visual brutality of boxing, Evangelista reassures them that Buffalo's boxing club fosters an environment of self-confidence and improvement.
"We are not going to force anyone to do anything they do not want to," he said. "It is entirely up to the individual to take boxing as serious as they want to."
While many of the 76 members train and spar to maintain a healthy lifestyle, there are those in the club, such as Evangelista, who take their boxing training to the next level.
"It's like a disease for me," Evangelista said. "First, you get the sniffles and before you know it the sport totally takes control of you."
For the five years that boxing has been a part of his life, Evangelista has found that the sport offers more than just a good workout.
"Boxing changed my life," Evangelista said. "It has taught me self-discipline and given me a greater sense of self-respect. I might not even be in school if it was not for boxing. It has definitely kept me goal-oriented and I am positive that it can do this for other people as well."
???The aspect of boxing that Evangelista constantly harps on is the sport's ability to make even the most pretentious person humble.
???"It's like meeting a seventh-degree black belt," Evangelista said. "Both of you know that he can beat the living daylights out of you, but he may be the nicest guy you have ever met. It's like when you are inside the ring, you are a boxer, but once outside of it, you are a gentlemen."
???Despite being only a club, the boxing club produces a good amount of talent. Evangelista is an experienced and seasoned boxer who is on the brink of entering the Open Class division, the highest level an amateur boxer can attain. There is also Lamont "Buffalo Thriller" Miller, a boxer described as a miniature Mike Tyson for his knockout capabilities.
???Quite possibly the most decorated boxer of the bunch is Wendy Casey. Casey is currently ranked at No. 4 in USA Boxing's Women's Light Welterweight Division poll.
???While the boxing club produces a fair-share of professional boxers, there are just as many people who spar and train for the fun and thrill of stepping into a ring.
???"Although boxing is mainly an individual sport, it still takes the support of the people around you to compete at your highest level," Evangelista said. "This club is an awesome community and we truly support each other, no matter how skilled and talented someone is. Everyone in the club might not know each other, but they do have one thing in common, and that is boxing."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
