October 11, 2026 · Amateur boxing

OLD SCHOOL
ON THE ROAD.

Finding fights. Staying busy. Building experience.

For amateur boxers, development takes more than time in the gym. It takes opportunities to compete—and sometimes that means hitting the road.

With Arizona’s boxing calendar generally offering only two shows a month, there aren’t enough opportunities locally to keep every boxer active. Finding the right match means looking beyond state lines.

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Team Lencho & Team Beltran traveled to Deming, New Mexico, with Francisco “Chicho” Rodriguez, Anthony Williams, Edgar Beltran, and Mario Insunsa for Fairground Throw Down 2026.

The amateur boxing event took place at the Deming fairgrounds as part of the 80th annual Southwestern New Mexico State Fair, which ran October 7–11. Boxing joined a fair lineup that included a midway carnival, livestock events, food vendors, and other community attractions.

REGISTERING DOESN’T GUARANTEE A FIGHT.

Old School wasn’t the only Arizona team looking for opportunities in Deming. Boxing Fit University out of Tucson and the Damon-Bahe Boxing Team from Chinle, Arizona, also registered boxers for the show.

Old School registered five boxers and secured matches for four. Boxing Fit University registered seven boxers, but only two were matched. The Damon-Bahe Boxing Team registered three boxers and was unable to get a match.

Across those three Arizona teams, 15 boxers were registered and only six were matched. Those numbers show another challenge of amateur boxing: entering a show—even outside the state—doesn’t guarantee a bout. Our coaches have to keep looking for opportunities to get our boxers in the ring.

For our team, the trip meant another opportunity to stay active, face opponents outside Arizona, and build experience in the ring. These opportunities are why our coaches and boxers put in the miles.

Left to right: Mario Insunsa, Edgar Beltran, Anthony Williams, and Francisco “Chicho” Rodriguez.

Francisco, Anthony, and Edgar earned wins. Mario came up short. All four added another bout to their experience and brought something back to work on in the gym.

We’re proud of our boxers and grateful to the coaches, families, and hosts who help make these opportunities possible.

Where there’s an opportunity to grow, Old School will put in the miles.

Event details: USA Boxing event listing and Deming Headlight fair preview.