ELKHART — Sam “Black Ice” Gipson came to boxing later than most.

While Gipson had been around the sport all his life — his father, Sam Borum, and uncle, David Borum — Gipson got his exercise in other ways, usually on the basketball court.

Then, as an adult, he put on the gloves and got hooked.

“Boxing’s my life,” said Gipson. “I live and breath it. I love the sport.”

After just a week of training, he won his first bout at age 23. It was against an “open” class fighter with much more experience. He went on to post a 25-6 amateur record before turning professional in 2008.

The 29-year-old Elkhartan is scheduled for the 10th match of his pro career as part of the pro-amateur “Saturday Night Eruption” card at Elkhart Sports Center. His opponent is from Indianapolis by way of Mexico, Hugo Guarneros.

Heavyweight pro “Gentleman” James Shorter (against Cincinnati’s Dione Craig) and St. James Boxing Club amateurs Andy Campbell, Lina Obradovic, Emilio Salazar and Merced “Jr.” Serratto are also scheduled to compete that night.

“My excitement is off the roof right now,” said Gipson. “I’m anxious to show my hometown what I do.”

That hometown includes his own packed household — fiancee Teesha Yoder, children Donye, 8; Samara, 7; Samarcus, 3; and Samerterius, 2, and stepchildren Diojonae, 12; Dayton, 9; and Davien, 7.

In Donye, Davien and Samarcus, Gipson already sees future boxers.

Gipson, a welterweight (143 pounds), is 2-5-2 with two knockouts. But St. James trainer Larry Young said the numbers are deceiving.

“Sam has a real nice style and excellent technique,” Young said. “He does things very properly. His record at this point may not show that. He’s fought some very stiff competition.”

Gipson’s boxing nickname is “Black Ice” because to overlook him can be costly.

“Black Ice is something you don’t see and, all of a sudden, it’s there,” said Gipson. “They overlooked me.”

Gipson is a machine programmer in his day job at Alko and describes himself as a “technician” in the ring.

“I throw the most crisp punches,” said Gipson. “I’m straight on-point.”

The right-hander calls his left hook his best punch and uses movement, defense, hand speed and power to score on his opponents.

Gipson continues much from Young, Eva Jones-Young and the other St. James trainers as well as the club’s other fighters.

“I’ve got to go in with an open mind,” said Gipson. “When you think you know it all, that’s when you’ll plateau. Larry and Eva have seen it all. They’ve been there and done that. They know what it takes.”

Saturday Night Eruption

What: A St. James Boxing Club and LAVA Promotions pro-amateur card at Elkhart Sports Center. Welterweight Sam “Black Ice” Gipson and heavyweight “Gentleman” James Shorter are pros from Elkhart.

When: Saturday, June 16 (first match at 7 p.m.).

Tickets: $50 for ringside, $40 for balcony VIP, $20 for general admission and $15 for students with ID and are available from club boxers or by calling Larry Young at 329-2568.