Ari Hunter and Brycen Lee are headed to Europe.
Thanks to their fists.
The two 17-year-olds, who both will begin their senior year at Monroe High School in the fall, have been selected to join a team of boxers from the Detroit area who will fight two shows in Ireland.
The first will be Thursday, June 25 in Belfast and the second Sunday, June 28 in Ballyliffin.
“They do this every year,” said Todd Riggs, who trains both Lee and Hunter out of the Joe’s-ALCC Boxing Club in Monroe. “One year they do it here and the next over in Ireland. (The organizers) got in touch with me and asked if I had guys who might be interested in going.
“I gave them the names and they watched some of their fights and said they would love to have them on the team. It’s a good opportunity for them and it’s all paid for. They will stay with host families.”
Hunter, a 165-pounder, and Lee, who weighs in at 178, have solid boxing résumés.
“I picked these two for a couple of reasons,” Riggs said. “One, because they are talents and, two, because they are well respected. They don’t get in trouble and get good grades. They are hard workers. I want to reward kids who work hard.”
Riggs won’t be making the trip.
“I trust the coaches who will be working with them,” he said.
Neither Lee nor Hunter has ever left the United States.
“I can’t wait,” Lee said. “I’ve been working really hard in training. Coach Todd reached out to me and asked if I would like to go.”
Lee carries an 8-2 record.
“I’ve been fighting four or five years now,” he said. “I started in 2020 at the Center (Arthur Lesow Community Center). I wanted to show people who I am and that I can be great.”
Lee doesn’t play any school sports, concentrating on boxing.
“This has been my dream and I am dedicated to it,” he said.
Hunter, on the other hand, plays football and basketball and runs track and field at Monroe.
He has plenty of experience in the ring, boasting a 17-7 record.
“I started when I was 9 years old,” he said. “My mom wanted me to try it and I picked it up from there. I love how everything is all on you. You are responsible for everything. You don’t have anyone in there to help you.”
He leapt at the opportunity to show is fighting skills overseas.
“I am very excited,” he said. “I am expecting to see a lot of Ireland and hopefully get to fight some really good guys. I hear good things about boxing over there.”
The Joe’s-ALCC Club recently completed a very successful season.
Lee, Arthur Porter Jr., Maximus Fenton, Santino Rose, Makel Middlebrook and Joshlynn Couch all won Silver Gloves state championships.
Lee, Porter, Rose and Jaxon Swell were Gold Gloves winners.
Porter, Rose and Philip Severinski claimed Junior Olympic titles.
Porter moved to ninth in the national rankings for his weight and age group.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Ari Hunter, Brycen Lee picked to boxing team that will fight in Ireland
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Niles Kruger, The Monroe News | USA TODAY Network
