BELLBROOK — As a sargeant in the Army, Steve Springston fought for his country.

On Feb. 25, the Bellbrook resident will be fighting for a different cause as he participates in Dayton Fight Night at Memorial Hall.

Set in the 1920s, Dayton Fight Night raises money for Dayton History, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the past to life to understand the present and inspire the future by collecting, preserving, interpreting, presenting and promoting the region’s past.

Springston, who had been studying Muay Thai, entered the competition at the suggestion of Sensei Jeff Brown of the Brown Institute of Martial Arts.

“He brought up boxing because they needed some fighters,” Springston said, adding that he had never boxed before. “I’ve done a little sparring here and there.”

The fighters trained for several weeks and will go three rounds in the same venue where Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey, and many other boxing legends once fought.

“I think I’m ready,” Springston said. “Doing it for a good reason. Looking to go out and have fun. I know a bunch of us are going to go out there and have fun, actually put on a show kind of thing. (But) I’m sure there are few people who want to go out there and do their best.”

Springston, who works as a security guard at Miami Valley Gaming, has remained relatively injury free during training.

“I got a sore nose once, but that’s expected,” he said. He’s hoping to make it through the three rounds unscathed, but Springston knows he won’t be getting any sympathy at home from his wife, Molly.

“She says more or less it’s my fault, if I get hurt,” Springston said. “(But) it gives us a reason to go out one night.”

Springston doesn’t anticipate this turning into other “nights out,” at least to participate in boxing matches.

“For right now it might be a one-time thing, but it all depends on how I like it when I get in there,” he said.

Ironically, Springston will be fighting another military member, U.S. Air Force Sgt. Christopher Kemp.

“I don’t know if it was planned that way or it just happened,” Springston said.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Doors open 7 p.m. with the first fight starting at 8 p.m. For more information visit http://daytonfightnight.com.