The Williamsport area has a long and varied boxing heritage. There have been several local boxers who had some public notice beginning with Otto Schliebener, who boxed under the name “Dailey,” who fought and was knocked out in 1913 by future heavyweight champion Jess Willard, two years before Willard became heavyweight champion by defeating the legendary and controversial Jack Johnson. Many people remember the boxing exploits of Frank “Tinky” Casale. Bouts have been staged here since the early 1900s. An outdoor bout was even presented at Bowman Field during the 1930s.

The newest entrant on the local scene will be the Williamsport School of Self Defense and its boxing team, which will be staging outdoor bouts at Elm Park on Saturday, August 28, from 3 to 7 p.m.

John Powell, the Williamsport School of Self Defense founder, is the sparkplug behind this effort.

“We worked on this pretty quickly. I contacted USA Boxing in June about putting this boxing show together,” Powell told Webb Weekly. “I paid a fee to get sanctioned and to be covered by insurance, and then I started contacting various gyms to try and recruit boxers for bouts, and they got back to me, and we started making the arrangements for bouts for a boxing show.”

Powell said one of the critical things that made the boxing show possible was the interest and cooperation from Joe Tedesco and Don Noviello of the Lycoming Softball Association. Their help provided Powell a home for the boxing show.

“US Boxing and the various gyms were very helpful in helping us line up bouts for the boxing show,” Powell said. “There will be between 14 and 18 bouts that will take place, and we think we will have a pretty good boxing show. Tickets for the show are selling well too.”

Powell enjoys mentoring and encouraging young boxers.

“We have boxers here who are between the ages of 11 and about 23,” said Powell. “Boxing gives them something constructive to do. These kids are a close-knit group and are very supportive of each other.”

Niquis Coleman, Kaizahn Adjei-Frimpong, Donovan Houseknecht, Aidan Kline, Blair Wilt, Markell Manire, and Dartanine Ransom are all members of the school that will be competing this weekend.

Ticket prices for the event are as follows: bleacher seats will be $20, general admission tickets are $35, and ring side seats are available for $50. You can call (570) 916-6812 for ticket information.

Again “Boxing in the Park” will take place this Saturday, August 28th. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. and the first bout will be at 3:00 p.m.

Powell hopes to put on future boxing shows if this one is successful. He is hoping that the turnout is good enough to do some indoor events soon.

The Williamsport School of Self-Defense provides a variety of classes and programs including boxing, MMA, martial arts and more. They are located on the second floor of the Love Unlimited building at 734 W. Fourth St., in Williamsport.