When it comes to the sport of boxing, Ira “War Chief” Frank is no stranger. Frank started boxing at a young age in his neighborhood in Flambeau, but it was not until the age of 15 that he started boxing in ring competitions. He states, “I always had known of my big cousin Jim Toy boxing, and he was good and I looked up to him. He was the reason I really started to like the sport of boxing.” Frank has been extremely successful in all that he has done with his boxing career. He has had many fights in his life and actually said he just returned home from a fight that was held out on the East Coast.
The fight was scheduled Sept. 26, 2015, in Beach Haven, N.J. Frank fought against Dustin “The White Tiger” Fleischer of Monmouth Beach, N.J. Fleischer is a New Jersey native and is on a quest to be the first grandson of a Holocaust survivor to be crowned world champion.
The bout lasted a total of 2:53 when the referee unexpectedly called the fight, and a T.K.O was awarded to Fleischer thus keeping his record at 4- 0. Frank said, “I went in there giving my all and I could have kept going, but the ref decided otherwise.” Frank was let down by this outcome but said, “Bad things happen; you have to get up, get over it, and move on!” He also feels great about his future in boxing, and he feels as though he still has a lot to offer in this sport both to himself and to his community. He mentioned, “If I have one person (meaning a younger generation) come up to me and say, ‘I remember watching you fight, and you helped me push myself in this sport or in life in general,’ I will feel as though I have fulfilled my purpose in being here on this earth.”
Along with Frank on his journey out East to offer their support were a few of his family members and coaches. His daughter Tashina and niece Tiara were able to witness this fight along with his sister Cheskaye and her husband. He has great respect for his coaches, Jerome “Booj” LaBarge and Scott Daniels, and he extends his thanks to them for helping him on his boxing journey.
The overall experience for Frank was one he will never forget. He had a great time with his family on this trip, and he learned and experienced new things that he will take with him as he continues in his boxing career. He is looking forward to his next bout. Time and place are to be determined.