Flathead Boxing ready to rumble

Local club welcomes public

Kalispell has a new boxing gym - with an old home.

Phillip Moore and Jesse Uhde launched Flathead Boxing in August, setting up shop in an old muffler shop.

Despite its humble roots, Moore and Uhde have lofty goals for their organization as they ready to welcome the public and establish an amateur club.

Moore, 34, began boxing when he was 9. He recently turned pro, winning his first two professional bouts.

Moore met Uhde five years ago after moving from Lewiston, Idaho, where he ran an amateur club. He agreed to train Uhde as Uhde pursued a professional boxing career, but Uhde's dream was stopped when doctors discovered fused vertebrae in his neck.

Uhde and Moore's enterprise of forming a local boxing club was aided by an anonymous local man, who donated the initial use of his leased building, as well as materials to build a ring.

Several professional and semi-pro fighters already train at the facility, including local hero Shelley Burton.

Moore said he hopes the club eventually generates enough revenue to become self-sufficient and support the forthcoming Flathead Boxing Club.

"We just kind of want to see what's going to happen with it, and hopefully we'll get some clientele that can support the club, and hopefully we can move into a better building at some point," Moore said.

"The ultimate goal that we had was to be able to support an amateur club. That's our ultimate goal because (boxing clubs) gave a lot to us as kids.

"We just hope that it's going to be a community-supported gym that hopefully will bring young individuals in the long run what it brought to us, which is discipline and something to strive for."

Moore said Flathead Boxing is open to people of all ages and skill levels, including aspiring professionals and those looking for new hobbies.

Moore said Flathead Boxing plans to charge $25 per month or $60 for three months, and will offer personal boxing and training instruction, as well as access to weights and fitness equipment.

For more information, call Moore at 270-6812, Uhde at 212-5258, or stop by the gym at 65 1/2 Eighth Ave. W. North.