On April 27, several hundred people gathered around a boxing ring in an industrial building at the Natrona County Fairgrounds for a Saturday night bout hosted by Harden Fight Company.
Amid bright lights and loud music, the fighters march down a long hallway and step inside the ropes. Adrenaline fills the room.
“To outsiders, it may look like frontline violence, but to us it's all about discipline and hard work,” says fight promoter Lee Harden. “This event gives athletes a clear goal to work toward and, if they work hard enough, it gives them glory and pride that can last a lifetime.
“For the community and the fans, it's a way for us to come together and have fun. We live in a state that consistently ranks at the top in suicide rates in the United States. We believe in coming together. Making people feel welcome and loved is good for our mental health.
“Fighting is not for everyone, but I think we need to promote and encourage as many different activities as possible so that there is something for everyone.”
In the main event, Casper's Coby Kelly vs. Kane McEachran battled it out for the vacant 155-pound belt.
K2 caught up with Kelly ahead of the fight to find out how he got involved in the world of amateur boxing. The Casper native said he has always been into sports, football, basketball, wrestling…the list goes on.
After losing his grandmother, Kelly found boxing to help him deal with his emotions. He credits Champions Boxing and his father with helping him.
This sport taught him to be disciplined. He has to stay in shape, watch his diet and train hard to have a good match.
Just before his 19th birthday, he went to one of the Saturday Night Fights to watch a friend and came away wondering if he should give it a try.
Now 20 years old, he hopes to gain more experience in order to one day become a professional. He is now 4-0 with last night's win.
After this, Kelly heads to Sheridan for his fifth amateur fight.
Other fighters on the card include Daniel Thompson vs. Lane Shea (both 205 pounds). And from Casper.
Two rookies, both 17 years old, appeared in a boxing match in front of a crowd for the first time: Casper's Grayden Bailey vs. Denberito Dariel Guerrero.
All the way from Baltimore, Maryland, Artie “Wildon” Savage (270 pounds) boxed Fort Martin's Danny Baeza (268 pounds). Collins, Colorado and local Damon Underwood vs. Damon Kaufman (170 lbs.)
Casper's Saturday Night Fight: “Spring Wars”
Gallery credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM
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Gallery credit: Kolby Fedore, TSM