“I want to make the sport grow”: Brick West Brewing’s second boxing card is a hit with fans and fighters alike

The sweltering July heat didn’t stop Rick Welliver’s Brick West boxing matches from drawing big crowds, nor did it stop the boxers from putting on a good show.

An hour before the event began, people entered the Brick West Brewery courtyard and took their places in the white plastic folding chairs provided for the event.

Shade was sparse, so people got creative on how to stay cool. Some spectators stayed in the shade of the building the entire time, others brought umbrellas and one spectator even brought a collapsible tent to help her family escape the heat.

In addition to creative shade opportunities, audiences took advantage of the brewery’s beers and other beverages to cool off during the games.

The card featured 10 fights from gyms in Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. The event was originally scheduled for 15 games, but some were canceled due to no-shows.

Welliver mentioned that one reason for the canceled games may be the poorer economic situation of some athletes.

“This is a socio-economic sport,” Welliver said. “Kids who are on the lower side of the perks may not have had enough money to come here. Maybe they didn’t have enough money to stay the night.”

Despite the abridged map, each fight was watched with excitement. Adolescents ranging in age from 11 to adults in their mid-twenties fought in the ring surrounded by the cheering crowd.

Aside from the main event, there was one match that got the crowd excited: Giovanni Christian of Coeur d’Alene Boxing vs. Liam Argaw of Spokane’s Legacy Boxing Club.

A crowd pleaser, Argaw has been training with Legacy since he was fifteen.

“It’s the first (gym) and last (gym) I’ve joined,” Argaw said. “Legacy is perfect.”

Argaw started boxing because his mother said he needed a pastime that would “drain” his energy.

“When I first walked into this gym and hit that ball, I was just blown away,” Argaw said. “I also wanted to beat up some other people.”

He “beat up” her.

Liam Argaw stands in the ring during a boxing match at Brick West Brewing in Spokane on Saturday. (By Charlotte McKinley/For The Spokesman-Review) Buy this photo

Argaw dominated all three rounds against Christian, although he never upset his opponent. Argaw slipped and rolled over with the punches, but kept coming back to fire shots of his own. During the breaks he kept his head up and listened to advice from his corner.

Argaw’s persistence paid off as he scored the winning goal via decision. After the medal was placed around his neck, it was proudly displayed on his chest for the remainder of the event.

The other games that strengthened the map showed excellent sportsmanship, with each opponent treating the other and their corners with respect.

The main event of the evening was no exception.

Spokane Boxing’s Musheer Foree fought Legacy’s Luis Castillo.

The three rounds were intense. Both Foree and Castillo attacked each other relentlessly, often going the distance of the ring with their back-and-forth combos.

Off to the side, a group of children chanted, “Let’s go, King!” in support of Foree.

In the end, Castillo proved too much for Foree. Castillo prevailed over the crowd favorite and ended the event with his arm raised.

Despite the loss, Foree graciously accepted the decision and presented his opponent with the winner’s medal.

The camaraderie between opponents wasn’t just limited to the boxers.

After the event, all the local coaches made their way to Welliver to thank him for running the event.

“All of our local coaches are like a team,” Welliver said. “Team Spokane.”

For next year’s Brick West boxing event, Welliver anticipates changes – particularly fairer competitive equity for lower-income competitors from across the Pacific Northwest.

“I want our city to become the epicenter of boxing in the northwest of the country,” Welliver said. “I want to develop the sport further.”