What Does A Pipe-fitter, A Wrestler & A Business Owner All Have In Common?

ABAA Spring Boxing Show Brings On Diversity in Boxing Talent

April 18, 2010
By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor

What does A Pipe-fitter, A Wrestler & A Business Owner All Have In Common?

On May 1, 2010 at the National Guard Armory, all three will step into the BOXING ring for the first time as the American Boxing & Athletic Association (ABBA) presents its annual Spring Boxing Show.

Showtime is 7:30pm at the Michigan National Guard Armory 2510 Wilder Rd. Bay City MI 48706. Boxing Teams from through-out Michigan are on the bout sheet.

The 2010 ABAA Spring Boxing Show Brings On Diversity in Boxing Talent. Robert Arsenault, Head Coach at American Boxing & Athletic Association, has his hands full, converting these three tradesmen into boxing fighters.

Chad Hugo, 28, of Bay City, is a Local 85 piper-fitter and also owns Seung-Ni Fit Club with his wife Angela. Hugo will step into not only the boxing ring for the first time but also Mixed Martial Art's cage fighting.

Hugo has been a bodybuilding enthusiast for nearly ten years. In September 2009, he competed in the N.P.C. Southwest Michigan show and took 1st place.

Hugo said, "I've trained myself and others at Newbody Health and Fitness for five years. I recently gave up bodybuilding to train for endurance and overall fitness rather then strength."

"This change also allowed me to become more visible at the two Seung-Ni Fit Clubs that I own (Bay City, Mt. Pleasant) where I am now an instructor. It was a hard transition to being cardio fit and no better way to help the process then get into boxing," Hugo continued,

"I started training sometime in January with Bob and Branden Arsenault, and am hitting it full time prepping for my fight." said Hugo.

Dave O'Neil 20, of Bay City is a 12 year Wrestling Champion (Bay City Garber High School - undefeated in the State of Michigan) O'Neil is back after his debut in the cage as he ventured into Mixed Martial Arts this year. O'Neil has 3 cage matches on his sports resume', not to mention a title belt.

Now the super athlete will try his hand at boxing. O'Neil said, "I am very competitive and just want to stay active. I like trying new things. Having my hand in all of these fighting styles will make me better at all of them." Both O'Neil and Hugo will fight one week before their Boxing debut, at the cage fights on April 24, 2010 at the National Guard Armory.

(Right) Mike VanDorn, 23, a Local 85 pipe-fitter said, "I work with 2-time Eastern Michigan District Champion Matt Maciag." "Matt inspired me to start training at the ABAA gym," VanDorn said. "I've always been interested in boxing, so now I'm committed to it and have been training for 8 weeks."

VanDorn admits that stepping into the boxing ring for competition for the first time, has his nerves wired but he is also excited, and can't wait to get his first match under his belt.

Arsenault said, "Training for these guys has been an adjustment and very different to what they are used to. With Chad, for instance, we have to work on his stamina and endurance, as a body builder he worked with heavy weight. Now we want to use less weight more reps."

Arsenault, continued, "Chad is very powerful and a true sportsman & athlete," Arsenault smiled and said, "Chad's opponent will surely be intimated when they take a look at him."

All three fighters agreed that it has been a great opportunity to be trained by and spar with former Pro Heavyweight boxer (5-0), 5-time State Boxing Champion Branden Arsenault.

More Featured Local Boxers on the bout sheet are:

Matt Maciag

Devin Tomkins

Tristin Morse

Russ Mason

Jay Jackson

Jose Bernal

General Admission Advance Tickets $15.00 or $20.00 At The Door. Seating is Limited!

Hooters 966 E. Midland St., Bay City

New Body Health & Fitness 107 N. Henry St., Bay City

SEUNG-NI Fit Club 3772 Wilder Rd., Bay City

Shirts, Mugs & More 2728 Center Ave., Essexville

(Above) Coach Bob Arsenault looks on as David O'Neil (L) spars with Branden Arsenault


(Above) At the ABAA boxing gym coach Arsenault works with David O'Neil (R)


(Above) NEXT - Coach Branden Arsenault (center) takes a minute in between sparring with both fighters.


(Above) Chad Hugo (L) spars with Branden Arsenault during a recent training session