Of the young group of boxers training at The School of Hard Knocks in Crystal Lake, one kid from Cary sticks out and will likely have his first sanctioned amateur bout sometime this fall. 

Gary Dobry, head coach of Pug’s Boxing Club, said Chris Hill, a 17-year-old senior at Cary-Grove High School, is among his most dedicated pupils.

“The most important thing for a boxer is his work ethic,” Dobry said. “Guys like Chris Hill are rare. He’s always in the gym.”

Dobry added that Hill keeps his hands up and has good form.

Hill spent Sunday morning sparring several rounds with Bill Briska, a 16-year-old who attends Crystal Lake South High School.

Hill and Briska took turns exchanging the classic orthodox 1-2-3 combination, which consists of the jab, cross and hook.

Hill's friend Spencer Kube first brought him to the gym about two years ago. 

Spencer is the younger brother of Alex Kube, a standout player at Cary-Grove High School who recently finished up his college football career at Northern Illinois University.

Hill said his ring idol is Ricky Hatton.  But he doesn’t see himself ever becoming a professional fighter.

“I box to stay in shape,” Hill said, “to stay active.”

Hill aspires to become a psychologist and would like to go to a university with a boxing club, such as Northern Michigan or Southern Illinois, so he can continue training.