SPRINGDALE, Arkansas — The nonprofit Hunger and Action boxing gym in Springdale hosted an event Saturday called "Guns Down Gloves Up" at the Springdale Civic Center where boxers from across Arkansas and surrounding states came to fight.
While boxing was the main event, there is a deeper meaning as to why they hosted this event.
"I'm trying to promote, you know, youth positivity, an outlet to leave violence behind and kind of put it into a sport and combat sport, if that's what they like," said Mariano Quinones, the Founder of Hunger and Action.
The event was for all ages and sported 36 competitors among 18 matches.
"So, we have as young as nine years old in this event here. The oldest we have is 29, maybe 28 years old," Quinones said.
Boxers come from all over to participate, but this event means more to Northwest Arkansas natives.
"For them, they get to fight at home. They get to compete at home, which normally, since boxing is not that big in Arkansas, or even in Springdale, they get to fight at home. Their families get to come see them fight. Normally, it's, you know, four or five hours away. We travel everywhere to compete in regional tournaments, national tournaments. So I think it means a lot to them," Quinones explained.
"Whenever you're in your home, it's usually more comfortable," added Alexis Hernandez, a 15-year-old boxer from Hunger and Action.
For the boxers, this gym is their sanctuary.
"It means everything to me. I mean, I train out of there every single day. I'm there all the time. So I'm there to achieve my dreams of becoming a world champion, first a national then a world champion," said Silas Montoya, a 19-year-old boxer for Hunger and Action and an Arkansas State Champion.
As for Montoya, Hunger and Action is more than just the name of his gym.
"I base my whole lifestyle on the phrase hunger and action. You know, the gym, that's the name, but like, that's what we are, that's what we live by. We stay hungry and we take action in everything we do," Montoya said.
Hernandez says he looks forward to one thing.
"I'm looking forward to winning," Hernandez said.
The event hosted 18 matches Saturday evening with 36 different fighters. The nonprofit plans to host this event again next year.
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