The first annual Gloves up Guns Down International Boxing Cup Tournament (GGDIBC) was held Friday-Sunday at the Newburgh Armory Unity Center.

The tournament was created to promote a spirit of unity and fellowship through the unique abilities of sports. Sports have long been known to be one of if not the most unifying activities on the planet. Regardless of age, language, country or any other factor, sports often can bring seemingly opposite people together.

The GGDIBC was organized by The Newburgh Hook Elite Boxing Club and the Armory. The event was sanctioned by VSA Boxing Metro.

The tournament featured 60-fights over the three days, seven participating countries, and six age & skill based levels of competition. The fights were three rounds in length and each round lasted between 90-seconds and three minutes depending on the age and experience of the fighters in any particular match. Matches began at 6:30pm Friday and 12 noon Saturday & Sunday.

The countries that participated included: The USA, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Australia, Canada and England.

A few boxers of note included: Zyrell Williams of Newburgh’s Hook Elite Club, Tim Olle of England who was awarded male boxer of the tournament and Raimier Walker who took home the American male boxer of the tournament award. Team Ireland took home the title of team champion.

Around 100 participants took part in the first annual GGDIBC tournament.

“This whole thing took about 3-months or so to organize,” Max Cuacuas, Director of Operations for the Armory said. “The hardest part was the logistics of it all with so many people flying in from other countries, getting them picked up from the airport, arranging flights, lodging and everything that goes into travel.”

The event was paid for largely through sponsorships and personal donations of time and resources from various volunteers and staff.

“A lot of credit goes to coach Leonard,” Cuacuas said. “He really did a lot for this event.”

Leonard, is Leonard Lee, coach of Hook Elite Boxing Club and a primary organizer of the GGDIBC.

“This is something we want to turn into an annual event,” Lee said. “This is our first one but we want this to be annual and we want this to grow.” “To do that though we are going to need the support of the community going forward.”

Members of the community who wish to get behind the GGDIBC are urged to do so by visiting the Hook Elite Facebook page or by calling: 857-0162.