FORT CARSON, Colorado - Aaron Bensinger doesn't get out of the Army for nine months, but he plans an early trip home

Bensinger will fight in the Tri-State Golden Gloves at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the National Guard Armory in Ashland, Ky. Bensinger won the local Golden Gloves four straight years prior to his stint in the Army.

Bensinger will fight Jeremy Ward of Portsmouth who is ranked 7th nationally.

The Ironton native is currently ranked fifth in the country in the lightweight division. The 132-pounder hasn't fought in front of local fans since 1999.

"It'll be nice to get back home in front of the local fans," Bensinger.

With his release from the service scheduled for the end of his year, Bensinger hopes to pursue a professional career.

"That's my dream," Bensinger said. "But I definitely want to win a national championship before I leave (the armed forces). There's a lot of us with pro potential. We have 13 of 16 boxers ranked in the top 10."Besides his local appearance, Bensinger will be seen on ESPN May 17 when the Armed Forces Championships are shown in a tape-delayed broadcast.

The Army has won the Armed Forces National Championships 12 straight years. They won eight of 11 weight classes this year plus three second place finishes.

Bensinger lost to Hector Ramos in a split decision.

"He's 5-11 and a southpaw. The rules have been changed this year and they worked to his advantage," Bensinger said. "I was the more aggressive fighter and I thought I won, but he's a southpaw and he gave me some trouble."

Bensinger won the All-Army lightweight WCAP championship during matches at Barnes Field House when he stopped Robert Watts Jr., of Fort Bragg, N.C., in just 19 seconds of the second round.