Amputee boxing association to hold first event in San Antonio

Lower-limb amputee fighters from the National Amputee Boxing Association in San Antonio square up in the ring. The group is the only sanctioned boxing association for amputees in the country. Lower-limb amputee fighters from the National Amputee Boxing Association in San Antonio square up in the ring. The group is the only sanctioned boxing association for amputees in the country. Photo: Courtesy, NABA Facebook Photo: Courtesy, NABA Facebook Image 1 of / 15 Caption Close Amputee boxing association to hold first event in San Antonio 1 / 15 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO - The country's only sanctioned amputee boxing association, based in San Antonio, will hold its first official event next month in the Alamo City.

Lower limb amputee fighters from the National Amputee Boxing Association, which was sanctioned by the state earlier this month, will compete at Cowboys Dance Hall on Sept. 27, said Shaman Owensby, the founder.

"We are trying to make a difference in boxing and adaptive sports," Owensby said. "These guys aren't disabled, they are just injured. They are as much of an athlete as anyone else, they just need the right platform to showcase their talent."

Owensby, a 33-year-old personal trainer and Air Force veteran from San Antonio, said he was working with an amputee more than a year ago who was interested in boxing. After searching on the Internet and making calls to boxing associations, he realized there was nothing available and decided to create a sanctioned league for amputees.

"We've already gotten tons of interest from amputees around the country who have heard about us online," he said. "Amputees have boxed in events, but not in sanctioned fights."

Ali Shakoor, media correspondent for the American Boxing Association, said he's never heard of anything like it.

The San Antonio-based group has about 15 fighters, many of whom are local but some are from cities across Texas and the country.

The association trains upper- and lower-limb amputees, veterans and non-veterans, at Randazzo Brothers and Alcoser's Gyms. Currently, only lower-limb amputees fight, but the newly-sanctioned group is looking to expand, Owensby said.



Eric Morante, a 29-year-old Marine veteran from San Antonio, will compete in the Sept. 27 fight, according to KENS5, who first reported the story.



Ross Cox, a U.S. Army veteran from Amarillo who lost his leg in Afghanistan, joined the group earlier this year.

Last month, the NABA teamed up with Ballet Latino de San Antonio for a benefit, "Boxing, Ballet & Salsa Night," held at Arjon's International Club.

"We teamed up with Ballet Latino to let people in San Antonio know that NABA provides amputees free training," said Rachel Quintero, NABA executive director.

Tickets to the Sept. 27 event, which will include at least six bouts, are $20, according to the website.

Watch videos of the fighters on NABA's Youtube channel here, or find more information on their website.

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Twitter: @KoltenParker