RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA – When you first see Emerson Chasing Bear in public, one might describe him as a tall, healthy and strong Native American.
After seeing him take on a punching bag and sparring at the Rapid City Boxing Club facility in town, you wouldn’t want to be standing in front of him when he plies his trade.
Chasing Bear, 35 is currently a pro heavyweight boxer who is 6’4” and also sports a fast upper cut in his arsenal was originally born in Rapid City, to Mega McCloskey, from Rosebud and Emerson Sr. from Standing Rock. At age five, he moved to Sioux Falls to be raised with his cousins, where his uncle, Ruben McCloskey started introducing everyone into boxing.
“Originally,” Chasing Bear says, “I would play basketball, but due to grades,” he was unable to pursue this sport and by age 16 when he returned to Rapid City, he concentrated on boxing.
As an amateur at 156 lbs in 1993, Chasing Bear would turn into a fast learner, advancing through the weight classes, one per year until he would turn pro in 2007. During his amateur time, he would have the opportunity to travel some, including one trip to fight against an Irish National team.
However, for some reason the Irish declined to fight, even after Chasing Bear had traveled across the country. Considering he was with the US National team in 2002, what was the given reason for their pulling out of the fight? I asked, if he thought the Irish were frightened, Chasing Bear had to chuckle: ” I was the only Native American on the squad.”
When asked about his best fight, he did mention a fight in 2008, against Harley “The Sandman” Kilfian, in Hinckley Minnesota as a good bout. Kilfian was sporting a 6 win, 1 loss record, while Chasing Bear was holding a 209-196 weight advantage, and was awarded a unanimous decision in the win, raising his record to 4-1 at the time.
At the present time, since a recent contract has run out Chasing Bear has a number of options open to him. On tap for one is a boxing match slated for April 16 in Puerto Rico, to fight against Carlos Negron, who presently has an 11-0 record. This local boxer most recently fought in San Juan, Puerto Rico, winning a unanimous decision in January.
There is a chance that Chasing Bear could be on Showtime’s Championship Boxing on April 16, as an undercard, depending on how the first two bouts turn out.
When asking about this upcoming opponent, Chasing Bear mentioned “since he’s taller, I have to work, to get in closer it’s different than with a person that has the same height. I need to get inside,” as he shows moving against the punching bag. In the ring, while working against his sparring partner it was more visible, with his arms protecting his head and working towards the opponent, buying time until he could land his own blows.
He did mention some words of encouragement, for the younger generation: “Follow your dreams, keep at it. Don’t give up, keep chasing your dream.” From an amateur fighter to fighting for the National team, to a bout overseas…Emerson Chasing Bear is living his dream.
(Contact Joseph Budd at Joseph@rapidnet.com)
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