This time last year, Melissa Drywater was looking for a way to get training equipment, uniforms and rings to the fighters at Booyah Boxing.
One year later, Drywater has achieved those goals.
“I've always looked at our situation positively,” Drywater said. “I believe in the boxing program that I have developed over the years, and I was hopeful that I would be able to get sponsors. I never thought I'd get the support and sponsorship that I have. I'm very grateful.”
Booyah Boxing is currently sponsored by BJ Baker Law, Dream Catcher Sports, Okie Flow, and three other local companies and seven individuals.
“Sponsor support is very important to my fighters,” Drywater said. “Sponsors have made our kids’ dreams of being a competitor a reality by allowing us to travel out of state and purchase team uniforms and new gear.”
Drywater boxers will head to their first bout with new sponsored gear on April 6 at the Devon Alexander Invitational in St. Louis. DeVoe Jones, Jalen Newcombe, Michael Drywater, Victor Duran, Caleb Skraper and others are scheduled to attend the event.
“I am honored to be personally invited to a boxing event by three-time world champion Devon Alexander,” Drywater said. “This opportunity increased motivation and sparked within my boxers a spark of determination, relentless tenacity. I developed love.”
In addition to several sponsorship opportunities for boxing trainers, Dry Water's business has expanded over the past year. Booyah Boxing is currently a 501c3 non-profit organization. Drywater has also taught literacy and life skills. She said 95 percent of her organization's members are Cherokee.
Looking to the future, Dry Water hopes to construct a building and operate it using subsidies.
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