Ruben Aueler (left) and Skyler Brown (right) training for the National Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament in the ring at Kingman Riot MMA. Photo by Noel Mabile.
KINGMAN – Kingman Riot Mixed Martial Arts is home to three of Kingman’s teenage championship boxers. The Kingman Riot Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) gym is the only of its kind in Kingman. Providing boxing, kickboxing, nogi jiu-jitsu, MMA, and muay thai services, offering one-week full trials to new students.
17-year-old Skyler Brown has earned four titles in the four years he’s been boxing, with an overall score of 5-2. Skyler weights in at 132 lbs. Three regional belts were received by the Cooltown Throwdown, and the last belt was won at Sunny’s Showdown regional. He began his interest in boxing when his little brother, “Baby John” Brown began boxing at Riot MMA. Since then, Skyler sees boxing as his “plan A” for his life path.
All fighters attended the 2024 National Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament in Missouri on November 16 and 17. During the weekend, Skyler won his preliminary bout by a unanimous decision on Saturday, advancing him to the championship. On Sunday, Skyler had surprisingly lost the championship by split decision.
14-year-old Ruben “Ruby” Auler and Skyler had began at Riot MMA around the same time, about four years. Since then, Ruben has won two titles at the Cooltown Showdown regionals, with an overall score of 2-2. Ruben weighs in at 145 lbs. Ruben started boxing because he wanted to stay active and live long, now he hopes to make this his career path.
Jessie Ruiz is 14 years old, weighs in at 175, and is already 6’1. Coach Neil Cannon, main coach for the three boxers, explains that this can make it hard to find opponents for the 14-year-old. Jessie has been boxing for a little more than a year. Neil is proud of how far Jessies has come in the short amount of time Jessie has been boxing. Jessie has already won his first title in Phoenix, with an impressive score or 1-0. Jessie began boxing when Ruben introduced him to the sport. “Everybody helps each other out. I’m always learning from someone else.” Jessie says that boxing helps him become a better person. He wants to move to professional in order to help his family.
Jessie had won the 2024 National Silver Gloves Tournament due to a no-show. Jessie will now be able to advance to the Compton reigonals in California that will take place in January. If Jessie wins the regionals in Califonia, he will move into the national tournaments.
Coach Neil gets into the ring with the three teenagers almost every day to personally train with them. Neil started boxing at a young age, about eight or nine. He fell in love with the sport when his mom got cable television. Neil would watch classic fighters when he knew he wanted to do the sport. As he got older, Neil began hanging out with the wrong crowd, eventually leading to his seven and a half years in prison for armmed robbery. After he spent his time, Neil knew he wanted to do something meaningful with his life. He jumped into professional boxing. When a boxing coach at Riot MMA had left, he took over the position, where he now gets to be a part of these teenager’s stories and successes.
“Never give up on your dream, you’re never too old to start. You’re never gonna be the youngest you are now again.” urges Neil Cannon.
Owner and lead coach of Kingman Riot MMA, Brian “The Riot” Skinner believes the young boxers have the best work ethic he’s ever seen in teenagers. Brian explains the amount of humility it takes to get hit in front of a crowd “[They’re] willing to step in front of the crowd and win or lose”. Brain watches the kids be true role models to the younger boxers, often taking time out of their day to assist with the younger classes.
Brain has a passion for his dojo. He wants to provide the younger generations with the type of environment and people he needed when he was younger. He sees boxing as a great way to keep the kids out of trouble, promote good work ethic and bonding. Both coach Brain and Coach Neil are extremely proud of how far Jessie, Ruben, and Skyler have gone.
To find out more about Kingman Riot MMA, call 928-352-2423.
Noel Mabile
