Jasmine Hampton doesn’t have the look of a fighter. Skinny with childishly plump cheeks, even with her gloves and headgear on, it’s hard to believe Hampton is about engage in combat when she flashes a wide, toothy smile.

That is until she slips her mouthpiece over those teeth and steps into the ring. Non-believers are converted as Hampton flashes her lightning-quick hands, fundamentally-sound footwork and surprising power.

Hampton, a 15-year-old freshman at Pioneer High School, is one of four fighters from Ann Arbor’s A-Square Fight Club who will compete at the 2011 Junior Olympic Boxing Regional Championships at the Saline Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

A-Square Fight Club owner Eric McGuire has high hopes for Hampton, who will compete in the 114-pound division.

“I expect her to win regionals and nationals,” said McGuire, who has similarly lofty expectations for Hampton’s cousin, James Taylor, a 16-year-old Stone School sophomore who will fight in the 110-pound division this weekend. “James has a good chance at winning it all.”

Taylor and Hampton both qualified for the regional championships by winning state championships in their respective weight divisions earlier this month. They will compete against fighters from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio this weekend for a chance to qualify for nationals, which take place in Mobile, Ala., Aug. 2-5.

Issa Awad , a 14-year-old freshman at Huron High School, will also attempt to qualify for nationals. Awad was not a state champion, but is dropping down to the 201-pound division to fill an open slot.

“For Issa, it’s his first time competing at a major tournament like this,” McGuire said. “He has a good chance, but the benefit for him this weekend will definitely be that he needs experience.”

Hampton, Taylor and Awad are all competing in the 15-16-year-old senior division (Awad will turn 15 by the end of the season).

Also representing A-Square Fight Club will be Michael Ramsey, a 14-year-old eighth grader at West Middle School in Ypsilanti. He will fight for a regional championship in the intermediate division, for which there is no advancement.

Boxing starts at 2 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday at the indoor facility at the fairgrounds with championship bouts scheduled for both days. For information, visit A2FightClub.com. Gate money will go toward fees for those who qualify for nationals out of the regional.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.