Boxers showcase skills at Wittenberg casino

Twelve fighters put their skills on display for the community in Wittenberg on June 25.

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg hosted a fight night that involved six contests, with five fights featuring boxing and one featuring Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Boxing Hall of Famer Virgil Hill and his wife, Denean Hill, who is an Olympic gold medalist in track and field, promoted the fights in Wittenberg, like they did before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Most of our fights have been fought on Native American land,” said Virgil Hill. “These fights were more than just fights, they were a show — entertainment.”

“We did a show here (Wittenberg) pre-COVID,” said Denean Hill. “It went well and we said that we would like to do a show here as a yearly event.”

Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg Marketing Director Tracy Pecore said this year’s event was the fifth show at the casino.

“It is exciting because we are bringing this back after COVID,” said Pecore. “These are always greatly received.”

Virgil Hill said that through all of the factors that go into the show, the June 25 event was a success.

“We look at the fight, we look at the crowd, we look at concessions, and we look at the referees and the commission, among other things,” said Virgil Hill. “We are looking at a number of different things and it went well.”

Virgil Hill said that he and Denean Hill’s major reasoning for promoting fights is to help get lesser-known fighters to showcase their talents in the boxing ring.

“That’s our whole thing,” said Virgil Hill. “We do four- and six-round fights. For the kids that we are trying to reach, this is a building block. We are trying to get them to that next level.”

Both of the promoters stated that they have seen fighters in smaller venues like Wittenberg move up the ranks and appear on ESPN or pay per view.

“You have to nourish the talent,” said Virgil Hill. “You have to make sure that you don’t overuse or abuse it. You have to help them help themselves.”

Denean Hill said that each venue that they go to is different and adds something that they haven’t seen before.

“This is probably the smallest casino that we work with,” said Denean Hill.

“People love this here, though,” said Virgil Hill. “The energy is unbelievable. The energy there was stronger than any other fight that we have had here or anywhere else.”

Because Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg does not have a venue to accommodate a ring and crowd, the fights were held in the parking lot under a tent.

“I like the tent, because it brings the crowd together,” said Virgil Hill.

“This way it is a little more personable,” said Denean Hill.

Pecore added that each event that they host is in the parking lot under a tent.

“Doing this so many years, we have made so many different contacts to make this work,” said Pecore. “It is a big plus for bringing people here.”

Pecore added that she has noticed more visitors coming to the event and the casino.

“Each time it grows a little bit more,” said Pecore. “I think that the word just keeps getting out there that this is a fun event. People are always asking us when is boxing going to be back.”

Along with helping these lesser-known boxers, Denean Hill said that another goal of theirs is to get the community to come together to enjoy entertainment. She added that some of the boxers are local to the specific area.

“We are trying to do two things, get the community together and promote local athletes,” said Denean Hill. “We want to help build the local athletes’ records up so hopefully one day, they can have a shot at the title.”

Finally, Pecore added that she enjoys working the boxing events.

“This is something that I look forward to,” said Pecore. “Everything behind the scenes can be stressful, but my crew puts on a good show and we get it done.”

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com