Boxing to return to Quincy after 40 years

QUINCY — After 40 year’s boxing is returning to Quincy.

Multiple organizations are teaming up to host the inaugural Q-Town K.O. The Olympic amateur boxing tournament is a byproduct of the Halyard ’44 Boxing Club establishing itself at the Quincy Family YMCA a year ago. Some athletes are learning the art of boxing, while others have started traveling and competing.

Halyard ’44 Boxing Club coach Dan Cvetkovic was eager to bring a competition to Quincy and started working with the mayor to make it happen.

The Q-Town K.O. will take place at 5 p.m. May 21 at The Crossing in Quincy. Currently, there are 30 boxers signed up from three states — Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa. The Q-Town K.O. will have multiple weight classes and male and female matches. Boxers are competing for a championship belt and additional awards, including best boxer of the night, best youth boxer, best referee boxer and best competitive bout

Locally, there will be nine males from Quincy and one from Hannibal competing. For many, it will be their first time competing. There will be one female from Quincy competing and she has competed before. The Blue Devil Orchestra will perform the national anthem. There will also be a surprise performance during intermission.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased in advance at the Quincy Family YMCA, YMCA of Hannibal, Tiramisu, Gold Line Barbershop and The Liquor Booth. Tickets will also be available the day of the competition, but space is limited. Money raised from the event will support youth development at the Quincy Family YMCA.