The Waco Boxing Club held a USA Boxing sanctioned amateur tournament this weekend that attracted boxers from all around the world.
Boxers of all ages made their way from various parts of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and even Australia to compete in Waco this weekend.
While it was a fundraiser for the non-profit boxing club, it was also a chance for many new boxers to see what it's like to be inside the ring for the first time.
"My five year old was kind of my inspiration to do that, plus she wants to fight. So, I'm her, the person she looks up to, and she's my shadow. So, if she sees me doing it, and knowing that it can be done if you put your mind to it, then it can be done," Terra Ochoa, a new boxer for the Waco Boxing Club, said.
Ochoa's first time in the ring was sparing against a 16-year old-girl from Australia.
Tianah Potter traveled to the United States with her team, the Spiders Boxing Club.
The Aussie's will be here a total of two weeks, spending their time training at several different gyms in addition to competing in this weekend's tournament.
"I like to like box, like pace myself. I used to brawl, and then I found out it was less tiring to box.. just stand there and pick your punches, little punches and then set up the big ones. And the Americans just throw hard everything. So, like if you get hit... you kinda don't wanna get hit," Tianah Potter, an Australian boxer for the Spiders Boxing Club, said. "Their [the Americans] movement is so much different. Like way more like boxing and they're just come forwards, side to side... and you can take that away and add it to our style and improve us so hopefully when we go back home we can do that."
Fundraisers like this weekend's tournament are important for the Waco Boxing Club because they don't charge children to come in and box.
Boys and girls ages 6 to 17 can be trained by a World Champion for free, year round.
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