Drywater wins debut, Booyah boxing shows out in St. Louis

Apr. 8—ST. LOUIS — Booyah Boxing's Michael Drywater picked up a knockout win in his debut match at Devon Alexander's Amateur Boxing Invitational on Saturday, April 6.

Drywater picked up the win in the second round of his fight. Drywater was the only boxer to pick up a knockout.

Elsewhere, Booyah's other fighters lost on decision. After a seven-hour drive and two-hour delay, DeVaun lost on points but was able to go the distance. Caleb Scraper also lost on points. After falling down during the first round, Scraper was able to keep up in the next two rounds, but his slow start doomed him.

Booyah also had a pair of boxers lose on split decisions, which didn't satisfy Booyah coach Melissa Drywater. Victor Duran and Jaylem Newcomb both fell on the judge's split decision.

"Victor's fight was the best of the night, non-stop action as soon as each round started. He fought like a true Cherokee warrior and landed more clean power shots than his opponent," Drywater said. "He was working off his jab and creating angles with his footwork. St. Louis judges scored a split decision for the hometown kid Kristopher Vargas, I truly don't know how they came to the decision, when they announced the winner, the crowd started booing."

Overall, Booyah picked up one win, two losses on points and two split-decision losses.

"Overall we had a very good learning experience," Drywater said. "I'm very proud of all of my fighters. It takes guts to step in that ring and do what we do. As a USA boxing official, I truly believe the judges got it wrong for Jaylem and Victor. In my book, they're all winners."

Booyah's growth

Over the past year, Booyah Boxing has grown to a place Drywater didn't expect. During the spring of 2023, Drywater had just one boxer she was training and taking to events. Even though that fighter is no longer with the program, it has grown to five competing fighters and others who are currently gearing up for their first fight.

"It is such a big accomplishment for me as a coach," Drywater said. "I had one boxer back then, now I have five boxers that have been training with me for almost a year. I have gotten the pleasure of watching them develop and grow not only as fighters but as boys to men."

Last summer, Drywater started a camp for students to join and expects to do that again this summer after an outpouring of support. There will be two camps one ages 7-12 and another 13-17. Dates are not yet set for the camp.

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