Caledonia Argus

Boxerís biggest fan is his grandpa

Posted: 3/12/02

By Shannon McKinney

Argus Sports Reporter

Jeremy Virock of the Caledonia Boxing Club admits heís a little nervous about this weekendís St. Patrickís Day Bout Saturday, March 16.

So many friends and family signed up to watch him fight that a whole section has been reserved for them. Last year, Virock brought the audience to a standing ovation. With only two fights under his belt, he knocked out his opponent, Travis Liffreg, who was 9-1, in the third round.

Of all his fans, though, only one will be getting special treatment. Virock bought his 91-year-old grandfather, Joe Toomey, a ringside ticket.

A week before the match last year, Toomey had a heart attack and missed the fight. But heís feeling much better now and will be there to cheer on his grandson. Toomey noted that he might have to have words with the referees if they make a bad call.

As one of Houston Countyís original boxers, Toomey is very familiar with boxing. When the Caledonia Boxing Club opened September 2, 2000, Toomey showed up at their door ready to sign up his grandson. He encouraged Virock to box and even paid for some of his start-up fees.

Toomey said he was very impressed with the boxing facility. He remembers when practice was held in friendís homes or the basement of St. Patrickís Church in Brownsville in the late 1930s. ìAt least you behaved yourself when you were there,î he laughed.

The group of about 10 boxers were named after Charlie Sauer, who started the club. ìIt was the Charlie Sauerís Club,î he said.

What has made a comeback, though, was the St. Patrickís Day Bout that was held in Caledonia at that time.

Toomey boxed while he served in the Navy and then boxed for a few yearís in Houston County. Heís also knocked out a few opponents.

Virock said he was at a family reunion when, Toomey talked to him about boxing. He had been a good wrestler at La Crescent High school. He placed third and fourth at the state wrestling meet during his junior and senior years, so thought he might be a good boxer too. Virock ìItís just kind of a compatible sport,î he added, ìI knew he (Toomey) was a good boxer, so I figured it was in my blood.î

Toomey agreed that he, too, thinks it is genetic.

There are a few other traits, says Toomey, that make Virock a good boxer. For one, Virock can ëtake a hití.

People react to getting hit differently. In amateur boxing, officials are constantly monitoring boxers during the fight to make sure they ëlook coherentí meaning their eyes arenít rolling back in the head after a hit or they appear dizzy. Anytime that occurs, the boxer immediately receives whatís called a standing eight-count to insure safety.

ìIíve never had a standing eight count,î said Virock.

In fact, Virock doesnít mind being hit. ìI donít care if I get hit. So, I just hit. I can trade punches fine,î he said.

Also, when Virock boxes, he aims to win and to eventually knock out his opponent. Heís had four career knock-outs, with last yearís St. Patrickís Day Bout knock-out being his first. His record is 5-2.

With that kind of record, other boxers avoid fighting him because they donít want to take the chance of being knocked out. In amateur boxing, someone whoís been knocked out canít fight again for three months. Virock said, ìThereís people that donít want to fight me and theyíre probably better than me.î

When Virock says better, he means a better boxer. For example someone who knows the boxing moves, how to feint, dodge and throw the punches.

When Virock first started, he would win by succeeding in getting a boxer to fight. ìIf I canít beat him with boxing skills, I try to mix it up with wild punches. Once heís started swinging, Iíve outsmarted him by getting him to fight instead of box,î he explained.

Toomey agreed, ìSometimes the only chance you have is to out-fight a boxer.î

When asked if Virock takes advice from his grandfather, Toomey said, ìHe knows more than me.î

ìNo,î countered Virock, ìHeís modest.î

Virock compares Toomey to ìMickyî, Rockyís older coach, in the Rocky movies. Although, Toomey doesnít know who Micky is because heís never seen the Rocky movies. In fact, the last time he saw a movie was a ìtalking movieî in 1930 in Manilla, the Philippines. ìI donít care for it,î he explained.

When Virock broke his jaw a few months ago, Toomey knew why, ìHe had his mouth open.î

Virock broke his jaw in the first round of fighting, but fought two more rounds not knowing it was broken. He thought it may have been dislocated. In the third round he knocked his opponent out, ìI knocked him out cold. He fell through the ropes.î

It wasnít until two weeks later that he finally went to the doctor and discovered that he had a broken jaw. ìI thought a broken jaw would hurt a lot more,î he explained.

When asked if there was something about his personality that made him such a good boxer, Virock replied, ìIím electrifying.î

Fight to feature 15 bouts of Caledonia Boxers

The bout this weekend will feature 45 rounds of boxing with 15 bouts from the Caledonia Boxing Club, including four girls Alecia Fruechte, Julia Bemi, Annie Shervin and Rebecca Sabo.

There will also be special guest appearances of boxers Carl Sanson as the ìViolatorî and Enrique Martinez as ìNicoî.

The event is sponsored by the Caledonia Boxing Club and the Masonic Lodge #20 of Caledonia.

It is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Caledonia city auditorium.

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