Kicking up a Storm

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Bonnie Brownfield practices sparring with Phil Valencia. She is training so she can eventually fight competitively.

"Learning how to fight is one of the best ways to get into shape and a great way to build confidence in yourself, no matter what age you are," says Phil Valencia, owner of Tucson's Ringmasters Gym.

Ringmasters trains beginners to become professional fighters in both boxing and kickboxing. The gym has been the home of former UA student, and women's state kickboxing champion, Amy Czerwonka and continues to draw in aspiring competitors.

Creative writing senior Jeff Goldberg is a regular at the gym.

"Ringmasters is a place where everyone is always welcome," he says enthusiastically. "Working out with fighters, you realize these are the nicest people you will ever meet; and I've noticed that the better I get at fighting, the better a person I become."

Located at 32nd Street and Sixth Avenue, Ringmasters is open Mon.-Fri., 2-9 p.m. and Sat. 12-4 p.m. For information on how you can get involved in the gym's activities, or just to find out more, they can be reached at 624-4723.

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Creative writing senior Jeff Goldberg shadowboxes on the timing bag for training his hand-eye coordination. Goldberg has been boxing with Ringmasters for the past year.	Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Ten-year-old P.J. Steinebach takes a break from his workout to rest on the ropes. Steinebach attends fourth grade at Homer Davis Elementary School.
Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Kickboxers spar in the ring of Ringmasters gym. The gym, located on 32nd Street and Sixth Avenue, is open to the public Monday through Saturday and offers training for professional fighting, protection or just for fun.	Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Owner Phil Valencia puts up his dukes. Valencia has been boxing professionally for the past 30 years and runs Ringmasters to teach people of all ages boxing and kickboxing.