AMATEUR BOXERS PUT UP GOOD FIGHTS FOR CHARITY.

Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard

Ardemis Walsh could barely watch to see her only son absorb blow after blow in the boxing ring set up in the middle of McArthur Court.

But as the third round started, and her son, Adam, landed a few choice roundhouse punches, mom was a little less squeamish.

"Oh, my God, he's doing well," she said of Adam's pugilistic prowess. "He's got the reach and he's a real thinker."

The 19-year-old freshman offered the following sage advice:

"Basically, don't get punched in the face."

Walsh and 27 other amateur boxers participated in the 30th annual Smoker boxing charity exhibition at the University of Oregon. The event, sponsored by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, benefits the YMCA of Eugene.

The fight card featured matches of three one-minute rounds, with four bouts between women and 10 more with guys going at each other.

At the sound of the bell in the first women's bout, Annie Wheeler and Krista Gust both came out swinging to the delight of about 800 fans in the stands.

Wheeler, a 20-year-old sophomore, lost her bout when she "got rocked" by a vicious right jab by Gust. Wheeler later noticed her nose was bloodied by the blow.

"This is definitely a man's sport," she said.

Between carrying 21 credit hours, being house manager at Pi Beta Phi sorority and serving as a volunteer at Roosevelt Middle School, Wheeler squeezed in weekly training sessions at the West Eugene Boxing Club.

"When I told my mom, she said, `I paid too much money for your teeth, I don't want to see them fall out,' ' Wheeler said.

The boxers all used 12-ounce gloves, protective headgear and mouthpieces. Contestants were matched by sex and weight class.

The West Eugene Boxing Club provided judges and a referee for the bouts. The judges, sanctioned by USA Boxing, scored the match the same as any amateur boxing event.

A doctor gave each contestant exams before and after their fights and an ambulance was parked outside Mac Court, just in case.

Conor Bradley, a 22-year-old pre-dentistry and business marketing major, nearly put his own teeth at risk when he went out in the third round without his mouthpiece, only to be halted by the referee.

The defending champion in the 170-pound weight classification, Bradley used his 6-foot-4 frame to advantage in his bout.

"I basically kept my left jab out there to keep him at bay; and then I'd bring the the thundering right hand around," he said.

While not your usual charity fund-raising event, Ashley Keels, who coordinated the Smoker, said it's been widely popular.

"It's not often you get to see people duke it out in Mac Court," she said.

The event raised about $2,500 for the YMCA, which will go toward the purchase of a trailer to haul camping gear to sites.

CAPTION(S):

Krista Gust (left) lands a punch on opponent Annie Wheeler in their bout Wednesday night at the annual University of Oregon "Smoker" at McArthur Court. Gust went on to win the matchup. At ringside in Mac Court, boxing fans pull for their favorites during one of the 14 bouts on the card. Boxers were matched by sex and weight class. YMCA of Eugene to benefit from about $2,500 raised