Punch, punch, kick, kick

Don’t let the word “amateur” fool you — the guys who will be stepping into the ring are some of the area’s best boxers and kickboxers.

Chance “Milkman” Cretsinger will take on Steve Moore on Feb. 21 at 7 Flags Event Center.

On Feb. 21, 7 Flags Event Center will host the Combat Championship Series, and, like gladiators entering the Coliseum, one thing is for certain: You will be entertained.

“Combat Championship Series (CCS) consists of six boxing matches and six kickboxing matches with some of the best amateur boxers and fighters in the area,” said Rebecca Casey, co-owner of Trinity Promotions. “What spectators can expect with both types of fighting is nonstop action by fighters who are dedicated to their sport.”

Combat sports — which includes boxing, kickboxing and MMA — is growing, according to Vince Kelly, co-owner of Trinity Promotions.

“Fortunately for us, several MMA fighters immediately requested a spot on the card because kickboxing and boxing matches allow MMA fighters a chance to focus solely on striking,” Kelly said. “With CCS, fighters can showcase their boxing and/or striking ability without the ground element.”

There are quite a few bouts to look for in both kickboxing and boxing, added Leslie Smith-Kelly, co-owner of Trinity Promotions. Amateur MMA fighter Chance “Milkman” Cretsinger holds two championship belts at 155 pounds in two popular MMA circuits in Iowa kickboxing against an equally talented Steve Moore from Mankato MMA in Minnesota. There is also Charles Heller, coach from Team Bad Intentions, fighting a strong competitor named Dallas Cady.

On the boxing side, DeAndre Harris, six-time Iowa State Golden Glove Champion and National Golden Glove Competitor, is facing an equally decorated MMA fighter named Jorge Serrano from Sioux City fighting at a catch weight. Additionally, there will be two heavyweight fights with another Golden Gloves State Champion/National competitor Antonio Mireles versus Jerome Ward, who was a Division 1 wrestler and currently an amateur MMA fighter. Last but not least, Tristian “Tree” James, ranked in the top 5 amateur heavyweights (USA Boxing), will take on a natural and athletic former Nebraska Golden Gloves competitor Clyde Johnson.

“CCS is an opportunity for fighters to showcase their talent against other trained fighters,” Smith-Kelly said. “This event provides fighters an opportunity to utilize their skillset and get the experience in an actual sanctioned bout and not just a hard night of boxing or striking in practice.”

The goal of the CCS is to showcase talented fighters in the Midwest, give back to the community by the charities CCS sponsors and provide a quality production that is entertaining.

“We’d love for the fans old and new to support this event because a portion of our proceeds will be donated directly to the South East Boxing Club,” said Casey. “Unfortunately, they were victims of theft and vandalism last summer. The nonprofit youth club has trained hundreds of boxers over the course of several decades, and the act hurt the club, taking necessary equipment from boxers and coaches.” CV

David Rowley is an Iowa native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Iowa and a master’s in film journalism from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

Combat Championship Series
7 Flags Event Center
Saturday, Feb. 21 Doors open at 6 p.m. with matches beginning at 7 p.m.
Admission: Tickets $15 for general admission; $25 reserved, $35 (second row), $45 for ringside, and $300 for a VIP table (seats eight).
Tickets are available at www.cagetix.com.