(Left) Richie Castillo and Matt Maciag (Right) battle at the Michigan National Guard Armory. Maciag won in a unanimous decision.
Fists were Flyin' Saturday Night During 17 Bout Boxing Event
Held at the Michigan National Guard Armory on Wilder Road, Bay City
November 11, 2007
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By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor
It was fast-paced, action-packed, boxing Saturday night at the Michigan National Guard Armory.
The American Boxing & Athletic Association (ABAA) and The Greater Bay Area Boxing Center presented amateur boxing at its best featuring the best boxers from Michigan and Ohio.
With 17 boxing bouts and standing room only, the crowd was hyped as excitement grew, as it neared the main event which was Bay City's Eastern Michigan Heavyweight Champion 23 year old, ABBA's Matt "Moose" Maciag against Pontiac's Richie Castillo.
Maciag won by unanimous decision with a knockdown in the second round. Castillo weighed in at 239 pounds while Maciag weighed in at 214.
Another highlight bout was ABAA's Merrill Martinez vs. Big Dog's Matt Love. Martinez took care of business and came out victorious. Martinez was also a 2 time wrestling Champion when he attended high school in Sebewaing.
According to ABAA Manager & Coach, Robert Arsenault, there was an attendance of approximately 450, people from all over Michigan including, Traverse City, Pontiac, Port Huron, Fairgrove, Saginaw, Flint came in to support the fighters and enjoy the 17 bouts of action-packed boxing.
Essexville's Mr. Jack Covieo from Ideal Tool Inc. won the 50/50 drawing. This was Covieo's first time at the fights. Covieo said, "This is a great job they are doing here working with these kids, it keeps them off the street and as Arsenault said it's a great confidence builder and creates good character for these kids.
The saying goes "MOOSE WILL KNOCK YOU OUT" and that he did! Bay City's Eastern Michigan Heavyweight Champion 23 year old, ABAA's Matt "Moose" Maciag won by unanimous decision against Pontiac's Richie Castillo. (Maciag Pictured Right)

ABAA's Merrill Martinez over Big Dog's Matt Love.
(Pictured Left)
Steve Rosado was rewarded a trophy for the Julias Piazza Award which was presented to him by Tony Piazza son of the late Julias Piazza.
This award has been going for over 30 years to athletes for their success, sportsmanship & integrity. This trophy and honorees are displayed in a showcase at The Dow Event Center in Saginaw.
Past Boxing Champions pictured L/R, Brandon Arsenault, Coach Chiko Galaviz, Josh Arsenault, Mike Walthers, John Gottschling. (Not pictured, Jordan Westphal)
(Left) Boxing Coach and Master of Ceremonies, Robert Arsenault said, "We will be traveling all round Michigan the next 4 months getting these kids ready for the Golden Gloves in March."
The next boxing event held in Bay City at the National Guard Armory will be February 9, 2008.
Arsenault continued, "I want to thank all the volunteers that help out at this event and the sponsors and Jeffrey Allen & The Michigan National Guard who make this night possible and all the coaches who volunteer their time and work hard with these kids." "We have a great bunch of kids and each and every fighter deserves an applause, I am very proud of all of them for all their hard work and training, it takes plenty of courage and confidence to go through what they do, they are all winners in my book."
(Left)
Stacy Burns and Brandon Arsenault contribute their time and support throughout the entire boxing season. (Team Arsenault)
Bout Results - November 10, 2007:
Tyler Phillips over Devin Tomkins
Damon Soto over Dylon Waybrant
Montrell Rose over Dominic Dingess
Romel Jackson over Diamond Mitchell
Scott Nemode over Nick Selley
Brian Banducci over Curtis Hill
Brandon Larvadain over Kurt Berry
Alen Basic over Brian Culler
Niel Sierra over Myles Waybrant
Patty Reeves over Crystal Garza
Nathan Selley over Harris Mesner
Raeese Aleem over Ernie Garza
Ismael Delgado over Demonta Miller
Merrill Martinez over Matt Love
Lenardo Vega over James Guy
Brad Smedly over Mauth Hamadi
Matt Maciag over Richie Castillo
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