Category Archives: amateur boxing

amateur boxing, boxing

Eight Elite Boxers From Pound-4-Pound Boxing Program Head to  2017 USA Boxing Elite Youth National Championships & Junior Open

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Pound-4-Pound Boxing Program sends 2017 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships and Junior Open
(L-R, 

Angel Barrientes 15-yrs (101 lbs), 

Jordan Aguilar 18-yrs108 lbs, 
John Armstrong 10-yrs (65 lbs), 
Chavez Barrientes 15-yrs (106 lbs), Lesley Soto 18-yrs (125 lbs),
Gabriel Soto 13-yrs (85 lbs),
Anthony Torres 13-yrs (80 lbs), Dorian Khan 15-yrs (110 lbs)
LAS VEGAS, NV (December 4, 2017) – Eight members from the “Pound-4-Pound” gym, Las Vegas’ # 1 amateur boxing program, will compete in the 2017 USA Boxing Elite Youth National Championships & Junior Open.  The five-day tournament will take place in Salt Lake City, UT, at the Calvin L. Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center, more commonly known as the Salt Palace, starting December 5th through December 9th.
Only the best boxers from around the United States will compete to see who is the best amateur boxer in the nation.  All 15 and 16 year-olds who win this tournament will make the USA Boxing Team.  All others will be ranked #1 in their respective weight classes.
“This is the big tournament that our team has been waiting to participate in,” said Pound-4-Pound head coach Richard Barrientes. “Only the elite amateur fighters from around the country will be competing.  All my kids have worked extremely hard to get here.  I’m very proud of this group and everyone knows what it’s going to take to come out on top.  Competing in these type of tournaments is what builds self-esteem. Win or lose, these kids will never forget these moments.”
amateur boxing, boxing, women's boxing

Field set for 2017   USA Boxing   Women’s Elite National Championships

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Dec. 5-9 in Salt Lake City, Utah
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO (November 30, 2017) – Team USA women’s boxing hopefuls will be competing in the prestigious USA Women’s Elite National Championships, December 5-9, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
This year’s field is stacked with talent, including 2016 Olympic Trials Champion Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, Texas), who will be looking to close out an impressive 2017 year that included four international titles and an undefeated 16-0 record, and two-time World Champion and 2014 Youth Olympic Champion Jajaira Gonzalez (Fountain, Colo.)
Other top contenders include featherweight Christina Cruz (New York, N.Y), lightweight Rashida Ellis (Lynn, MA), as well as middleweight Naomi Graham (Colorado Springs, CO) and welterweight Oshae Jones (Toledo, Ohio)
Following a year of highly-competitive national events, the best U.S. female amateur boxers are set to compete in the 2017 USA Boxing Elite National Championship. With up to six spots in each division already secured, based on the results of the 2016 Elite National Championships, 2017 Elite Western Qualifier and 2017 Elite Eastern Qualifier, the remaining spots have been filled based on the wild-card application process to complete the field of elite boxers.
A total of 88 boxers applied for a wild card qualification with 35 allocations awarded to finalize the Elite National Championships brackets.
“With this being the first year of the new elite athlete selection process, we are excited to see the top talent in the country compete to represent Team USA in 2018,” said Matt Johnson, USA Boxing High Performance Director. “We are looking forward to a high level of competition during these championships, and are confident that the increased competitiveness at the national stage will translate to further improvement of USA’s performance internationally on the road to Tokyo in 2020.”
Below is the final list of elite boxers, in order of ranking, who will contend for the title of national champion:
 
 
USA BOXING ELITE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD
LIGHT FLYWEIGHTS (106 lbs.)
Jacquelyn Cuddleback – 2016 National Championships
Hillary Perez – 2016 National Championships
Mia Valdez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Jazzelle Bobadilla – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Veronica Rodriguez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Elimarie Torres – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Monica Lazadale – Wild Card Selection
Sabrina Slattery – Wild Card Selection
FLYWEIGHTS (112 lbs.)
Virginia Fuchs – 2016 National Championships
Kristyn Juarez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Maryquenn Vellinga – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Indeya Smith – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Leslis Rosas – Wild Card Selection
FEATHERWEIGHT (119 lbs.)
Christina Cruz – 2016 National Championships
Dacia Jacquez – 2016 National Championships
Mikiah Kreps – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Mariana Gonzalez – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Kristen McMurtree – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Jayda Davis – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Melanie Costa – Wild Card Selection
BANTAMWEIGHTS (125 lbs.)
Trudy Li – 2016 National Championships
Carmen Vargas – 2016 National Championships
Eliza Peralta – 2017 Western Qualifier
Nephateria Miller – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Brittany Sims – 2017 Western Qualifier
Clarice Morales – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Rianna Rios – Wild Card Selection
Leslie Soto – Wild Card Selection
LIGHTWEIGHTS (132 lbs.)
Rashida Ellis – 2016 National Championships
Jajaira Gonzalez – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Lupe Gutierrez – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Stacia Suttles – Wild Card Selection
Diana Estrada – Wild Card Selection
Wendy Casey – Wild Card Selection
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS (141 lbs.)
Amelia Moore – 2016 National Championships
Whitney Gomez – 2016 National Championships
Annalicia Sustaita – 2017 Western Qualifier
Destiny Jones – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Nargis Shanghais – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Raven Brown – Wild Card Selection
Ashleigh Moore – Wild Card Selection
WELTERWEIGHTS (152 lbs.)
Stephanie Malone – 2016 National Championships
Oshae Jones – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Deseree Jamison – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
MIDDLEWEIGHTS (165 lbs.)
Naomi Graham – 2016 National Championships
Leah Cooper – 2016 National Championships
Brooke Mullen – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (178 lbs.)
Krystal Dixon – 2016 National Championships
Amber Montoya – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Kristen Leija – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Fallon Farrar – Wild Card Selection
HEAVYWEIGHTS (178+ lbs.)
Danielle Perkins – 2016 National Championships
Shadasia Green – Wild Card Selection
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

Field set for 2017 USA Boxing Men’s Elite National Championships

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Dec. 5-9 in Salt Lake City, Utah
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO (November 28, 2017) – Following a year of highly-competitive national events, US amateur boxers are set to compete in the 2017 USA Boxing Elite National Championship, December 5-9, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With up to six spots in each division already secured, based on the results of the 2016 Elite National Championships, 2017 Elite Western Qualifier and 2017 Elite Eastern Qualifier, the remaining spots have been filled based on the wild-card application process to complete the field of elite boxers.
A total of 88 boxers applied for a wild card qualification with 35 allocations awarded to finalize the Elite National Championships brackets.
“With this being the first year of the new elite athlete selection process, we are excited to see the top talent in the country compete to represent Team USA in 2018,” said Matt Johnson, USA Boxing High Performance Director. “We are looking forward to a high level of competition during these championships, and are confident that the increased competitiveness at the national stage will translate to further improvement of USA’s performance internationally on the road to Tokyo in 2020.”
Leading contenders include bantamweight Marc Castro (Fresno, Calif.), light welterweight Delante “Tiger” Johnson (Cleveland, OH), welterweight Quinton Randall (Katy, TX), bantamweight Duke Ragan (Cincinnati, OH), heavyweights Cam F. Awesome (Lenexa, KS) and Jared Anderson(Toledo, OH), middleweight Troy Isley (Alexandria, VA), light welterweight Freudis Rojas, Jr. (Las Vegas, NV), super heavyweights) Nkosi Solomon (Brooklyn, NY) and Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA.
Below is the final list of elite boxers, in order of ranking, who will contend for the title of national champion:
USA BOXING ELITE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIELD
LIGHT FLYWEIGHTS (108 lbs.)
Nicholas Scaturchio – 2016 National Championships
Efrain Sanchez – 2016 National Championships
Xavier Rodriguez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Timothy Jarman – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Jordon Aguilar-Sanchez – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Salaam Gonzalez – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Stephen Acosta – Wild Card Selection
Jonathan Rodriguez – Wild Card Selection
FLYWEIGHTS (114 lbs.)
Fernando Martinez – 2016 National Championships
Guillermo Gutierrez – 2016 National Championships
Michael Angeletti – 2017 Western Qualifier
Saleto Henderson – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
John Atiles – 2017 Western Qualifier
Charles Williams – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Jonas Persaud – Wild Card Selection
Timothy Longoria- Wild Card Selection
BANTAMWEIGHTS (123 lbs.)
Duke Ragan – 2016 National Championships
Shon Mondragon – 2016 National Championships
Dominique Crowder – 2017 Western Qualifier
Marc Castro – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Isaac Martinez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Raymond Ford – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Jesus Vasquez – Wild Card Selection
Daniel Bailey – Wild Card Selection
LIGHTWEIGHTS (132 lbs.)
Aaron Perez – 2016 National Championships
Bruce Carrington – 2016 National Championships
Jemiah Richards – 2017 Western Qualifier
Keyshawn Davis – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Tyler Herberger – 2017 Western Qualifier
Kevin Montano – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Joseph Macedo – Wild Card Selection
James Browning – Wild Card Selection
LIGHT WELTERWEIGHTS (141 lbs.)
Freudis Rojas – 2016 National Championships
Charlie Sheehy – 2016 National Championships
Israel Rodriguez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Delante Johnson – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Ismael Gutierrez – 2017 Western Qualifier
Jeremy Hill – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Bryson Nuckles – Wild Card Selection
Cristian Roman – Wild Card Selection
WELTERWEIGHTS (152 lbs.)
Quinton Randall – 2016 National Championships
Brian Ceballo -2016 National Championships
Marcus Davidson – 2017 Western Qualifier
Jaquan McElroy – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Anthony Franco – 2017 Western Qualifier
Sean Charleston – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Josniel Castro – Wild Card Selection
Azeez Muhammad – Wild Card Selection
MIDDELEWEIGHTS (165 lbs.)
Troy Isley – 2016 National Championships
Javier Martinez – 2016 National Championships
Austin Williams – 2017 Western Qualifier
Rahim Gonzalez – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Joeshon James – 2017 Western Qualifier
Nikita Ababiy – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Kiante Irving – Wild Card Selection
Miguel Hernandez – Wild Card Selection
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (178 lbs.)
Sean Hemphill – 2016 National Championships
Antwan Jones – 2016 National Championships
Khlalil Coe – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Jorge Tovar – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Atif Oberlton – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Darius Fulghum – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Miguel Teo – Wild Card Selection
Abel Gonzalez – Wild Card Selection
HEAVYWEIGHTS (201 lbs.)
Cam Awesome – 2016 National Championships
Jesus Flores – 2016 National Championships
Adrian Tillman – 2017 Western Qualifier
Marquise Williams – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Gaspard Pierre – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Deangelo Leachmen – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Jared Anderson – Wild Card Selection
Demek Edmonds – Wild Card Selection
SUPER HEAVY WEIGHTS (201+ lbs).
Nkosi Solomon – 2016 National Championships
Daniel Bean -2016 National Championships
Michael Graves – 2017 Western Qualifier
Ramel Clasablanca – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Eric Brigs – 2017 Western Qualifier
Leonid Grachiv – 2017 Eastern Qualifier
Richard Torres – Wild Card Selection
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing, women's boxing

Citlalli Ortiz Wins Welterweight Youth World Championship Title

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Isamary Aquino Brings Home Bronze Medal

GUWAHATI, India (November 26, 2017) — Coachella, California-native Citlalli Ortiz closed out her impressive 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships campaign with a split decision victory over Russia’s Nataliya Sychugova to take her first major international title in Guwahati, India.
“Today feels like one of the best days of my life,” stated Ortiz following her win. “After the fight, I doubted myself, but I am extremely happy I pulled out the win and it feels amazing being a world champion.”
Ortiz gold medal closes out a strong showing from the young American delegation. Team USA’s other medal, a bronze, was won yesterday by Isamary Aquino of Universal City, Texas.
“I am extremely proud of my performance at my first international tournament,” said Aquino following her medal ceremony. “It was an honor to be able to represent Team USA and bring home a world championship medal.”
The remaining members of the team included: Aidyl Cardenas (Calexico, Calif.),Diana Estrada (Hillsboro, Oregon), Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.), Roma Martinez (Humble, Texas), Sharahaya Moreu (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Amy Salinas(Las Cruces, N.M).
This year’s Youth World Championships brought 160 of the world’s top youth female boxers from 36 different countries all vying for one of the 10 world titles up for grabs. Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and assistant coaches Kay Koroma (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jeff Mays (San Antonio, Texas) guided Team USA throughout these championships. The boxers and staff of USA Boxing will begin their journey back home to the United States tomorrow.
Team USA Results:
69 kg: Citlalli Ortiz, Coachella, Calif./USA, dec. over Nataliy Sychugova/RUS, 3-2
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing, women's boxing

Citlalli Ortiz Grabs First Win of Women’s Youth World Championships

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Team USA finishes 1-1 on second day; six Americans to enter ring today
GUWAHATI, India (Nov. 21, 2017) — Day two of the 2017 Women’s Youth World Championships in Guwahati, India brought two members of Team USA into the ring looking to advance one step closer to a world title.
Welterweight Citlalli Ortiz (Coachella, Calif.) grabbed Team USA’s first win of the championships with a split decision victory over Nadezhda Ryabets of Kazakhstan. She will return to the ring on Wednesday, Nov. 22 for a quarterfinals match-up against
The second American in today’s field, middleweight Sharahya Moreu (Albuquerque, N.M.), fell short of taking the judges card over Russian Anastasiia Shamonova.
Tomorrow the remaining six members of Team USA will make their tournament debut, including 2015 Junior World Champion Heaven Garcia (El Monte, Calif.) The other five boxers will all be making their international debuts.
Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Kay Koroma (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Jeff Mays (San Antonio, Texas) are guiding the American delegation in India. This year’s tournament has brought 160 boxers from 31 different countries looking to take one of the ten World titles up for grabs.
Continue to follow USA Boxing on social media for more coverage of the tournament.
Team USA Results:
69 kg: Citlalli Ortiz, Coachella, Calif./USA dec. over Nadezhda Ryabets/KAZ, 4-1
75 kg: Anastasiia Shamonova/RUS dec. over Sharahaya Moreu, Albuquerque, N.M./USA, 5-0
Tomorrow’s Schedule
48 kg: Amy Salinas, Las Cruces, N.M./USA vs.Gloria D’almeida/FRA
51 kg: Heaven Garcia, El Monte, Calif./USA vs. Chaewon Kim/KOR
54 kg: Isamary Aquino, Universal City, Texas/USA vs. Kateryna Rohova/UKR
57 kg: Roma Martinez, Humble, Texas/USA vs. Emily Mauermann/GER
60 kg: Diana Estrada, Hillsboro, Oregon/USA vs. Fatia Benmessahel/FRA
64 kg: Aidyl Cardenas, Calexico, Calif./USA vs. Khongorzul Batbold/MGL
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing

Facebook: /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

“Collegiate Fight Night” West Point vs. New England  This Saturday night in Winchester, MA

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WINCHESTER, Mass. (November 6, 2017) – Veterans Day will be celebrated in a unique way this Saturday night (7 p.m. ET) when the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA), in association with USA Boxing, presents an evening of amateur boxing, “Collegiate Fight Night”,
With 10 amateur matches being held at Maurer Auditorium in Winchester Town Hall (on Mt. Vernon St.).
The Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point are matched against a New England all-star caliber team comprised of boxers from the Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut and Trinity College.
“COLLEGIATE FIGHT NIGHT”
(all 3 X 2 Rounds)
 
OPEN CLASS
160 lbs
Luca Botis LoConte (18-7), Army West Point / Winchester, MA
vs.
Joseph Orosco (10-8), Trinity College / Pomona CA
NOVICE CLASS
Heavyweights
Jack Ward (0-0), Army West Point / North Hampton, NH
vs.
Jesus Fequiere (0-0), UConn / Windsor, CT
200 lbs.
Jordan Elliott (4-5), Army West Point / Camden, AZ
vs.
Marshall Rayburn (4-5), Coast Guard / New London, CT
185 lbs
Emmanuel Ahou (0-0), Army West Point / Newark, NJ
vs.
Luke Psoimas (0-1), Coast Guard / New London, CT
175 lbs.
Kalen Khan (0-0), Army West Point / Bonne Terre, MO
vs.
Josh Bennett (1-1), UConn / Bridgeport, CT
158 lbs
Alex Lawrence (0-0), Army West Point / Carrollton, TX
vs.
Jacob Cohen (0-0), UMass / Northborough, MA
158 lbs
Moses Sun (5-3), Army West Point / Granite Falls, WA
vs.
Colin Johnson (4-3), Coast Guard / New London, CT
156 lbs
Kyle Taylor (1-0), Army West Point / Oro Valley, AZ
vs.
Aaron Schneider (1-2), Trinity College / Needham, MA
156 lbs.
Chandon Hutchinson (0-0), Army West Point / Orange County, CA
vs.
Dante Gilbert (0-0), UConn / Stamford, CT
125 lbs.
Isiah Ortiz (4-2), Army West Point / Stockton, CA
vs.
Christian Moura (2-4), UMass / Hollis, NH
(all matches & boxers subject to change)
 
Former professional world champions “Irish” Micky Ward (Lowell) and Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera (Worcester) will be special guests at “Collegiate Fight Night”.
Seacoast Ticket Agency is the exclusive online (www.seacoastticket.com) and phone (1.800.382.5242) ordering ticket service for “Collegiate Fight Night”. Tickets plus ($2.50 service fee) are priced at $20.00 for general admission and limited $40.00 ringside reserved. Limited $500 VIP packages are also available and include four ringside reserved tickets, including a pre-event reception at Lucias Ristorante in Winchester (cash bar), company name recognition in the event program, post and pre-event Meet & Greet with special guest boxers at Lucias. Tickets may be available to purchase fight night at the door, however, this event is expected to sell-out in advance.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /NCBA, /USABoxing
ABOUT NATIONAL COLLEGIATE BOXING ASSOCIATION (NCBA): The NCBA is the senior college boxing governing body in the United States. The NCBA provides student athletes an opportunity to box at the recreational, intramural, and competitive levels. Its philosophy and rules provide a safe and level playing field for both new and experienced athletes.
ABOUT USA BOXING: The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, bit also oversee and every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.
amateur boxing, boxing

USA Boxing Alumni Association Open for Registration 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 2, 2017). – The newly created USA Boxing Alumni Association registration is officially open for those interested in becoming members.
The Alumni Association, which was created to champion a lifelong, mutually beneficial relations between USA Boxing and its alumni, including boxers, officials, coaches and boxing fans, will help connect generations of champions, as well as help inspire and give back to USA Boxing’s future boxing champions inside and outside the ring.
“The Alumni Association will bring together former boxers, coaches and officials that have reached all levels of success in amateur boxing, as well as people who have a love for Olympic-style boxing,” commented Mike McAtee, USA Boxing Executive Director. “This association will help expand our grassroots and help create the future champions of USA Boxing and alumni members.”
Open to anyone possessing a love for the sport and looking to stay connected with amateur boxing, the Alumni Association members are granted access to a variety of special events that will be hosted by the Alumni Association, including the first annual USA boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame reception.
The reception, which will honor and celebrate the five inaugural members of the Alumni Association Hall of Fame, will be held on December 8 in Salt Lake City in conjunction with the 2017 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships & Junior and Prep Open. The five inductees include:
  • Muhammad Ali 
  • Tom Coulter 
  • Buddy Davis  
  • Evander Holyfield 
  • Roosevelt Sanders 
World-renowned CBS and Showtime announcer Al Bernstein will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event.
“USA Boxing makes a positive difference in the lives of thousands and thousands of young people on a daily basis, and I am so honored to serve as emcee for the inaugural USA Boxing Alumni Association Hall of Fame Reception. This new arm of USA Boxing will be a terrific addition to an already great organization,” Bernstein said. “I look forward to a great week.”
In addition to Bernstein’s role as emcee, many esteemed members of the USA Boxing alumni community are scheduled to attend the inaugural event, including: Michael Carbajal, BJ Flores, Larry Fullmer, Virgil Hill, Raul Marquez, Steve Smoger,Jesse Valdez, Micky Ward and Eddie Weichers.
When joining, which cost $40/year, new members will be given a t-shirt, keychain and e-wallet. For more information on the USA Boxing Alumni Association, please contact alumni@usaboxing.org or visit USABoxing.org
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /USABoxing
Inaugural USA Boxing Alumni Association

Hall of Fame Reception to be held Dec. 8 in Salt Lake City
ABOUT USA BOXING: The mission of USA Boxing shall be to enable United States’ athletes and coaches to achieve sustained competitive excellence, develop character, support the sport of boxing, and promote and grow Olympic style boxing in the United States. The responsibility of USA Boxing is not only to produce Olympic gold, but also oversee every aspect of amateur boxing in the United States.
amateur boxing, boxing

“Collegiate Fight Night” Homecoming for two West Point Cadet Boxers Luca LoConte Botis & Jack Ward

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Saturday, Nov. 11 in Winchester, MA
(L-R) – Luca LoConte Botis, head coach Ray Barone, and Jack Ward
 
WINCHESTER, Mass. (October 29, 2017) – “Collegiate Fight Night”, presented by the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA) in association with USA Boxing, on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET start), November 11, will be a homecoming for a pair of West Point Cadets boxers with close ties to the town of Winchester (MA), Luca LoConte Botis and Jack Ward.
Ten amateur bouts are on tap at Maurer Auditorium in Winchester Town Hall (on Mt. Vernon St.) as the Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point are matched against a New England all-star caliber team comprised of boxers from the Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut, Trinity College and Harvard University.
West Point requires all its Cadets, male and female, to take 19 lessons of boxing and that, combined with the program’s tremendous success in competition over the years, results in its relatively high number of boxers (40) on a college boxing team. West Point voluntary head boxing coach Ray Barone is a military retiree who taught at West Point.
“Luca and Jack work hard in the gym and are leaders amongst their peers,” Coach Barone said. “They are top-of-the-line guys and we’re fortunate to have both on our team. West Point is a high-end academic school, like an Ivy League school, and we aren’t allowed to recruit boxers.
“We have another great group of boxers this year. It’s always, ‘Yes, sir; no, sir’ and they’re all very articulate. Luca and Jack, like other boxers on our team, are very respectful. Luca is a very good boxer who could very well be in the Fight of the Night. Jack came here as a football player and he’ll be in his first boxing match on November 11th.”
LoConte Botis and Ward, who has close to a 4.0 GPA, are sophomores who aspire to be Infantry officers upon graduation from West Point.
Luca attended West Point Prep School for one year before entering West Point Military Academy. A 2015 graduate of Winchester High School, he started boxing at a young age, capturing top honors in the New England Junior Olympics, and he developed his skills at Peter Welch’s Gym in South Boston, as well as with the Rivera brothers at the Somerville Boxing Club.
Because he always intended to box at West Point, Luca contacted boxing officials there when he was still in high school, and he knew the coaches and boxers before he officially got there. With 18 (11-7) amateur matches under his belt, Luca has invaluable experience in a sport he passionately views as a lifestyle, much more than a sport
“I am from Winchester and look at this show as a homecoming,” Luca remarked. “I fought there once as a freshman and now I want to show everybody at home that I’ve grown. I’m no longer a boy, I’m growing into a man, and boxing has a lot to do with that. Styles make fights and I know who I’m fighting. I plan to relax in the ring and give everybody a real show. I’m going to have a lot of fun, too, and leave with a smile on my face.
“I become a better version of myself, every day, by getting in the ring. Boxing takes its toll on the body and mind but, if I have a tough day academically or during military training, I get that anger out in the gym. Boxing is a release for me. It reminds me why I’m here. What I overcome in the ring, I can do in any other way. I plan to compete in the Golden Gloves this year and as an officer, I will lead men and women soldiers.”
Ward grew-up in Hampton, NH, but he has roots in Winchester, which he considers his second home. Jack attended Salisbury School, in Connecticut, and he was recruited as a football player. He decided not to play football at West Point and, despite having no prior experience as a boxer, he joined the West Point Boxing Team after meeting Coach Barone and some members of the squad.
“I love competing, discipline and conditioning and I’ve never been in as good shape as I am now as a boxer,” Jack explained. “Boxing adds to my overall development, mentally and physically, and the it will help me become a more effective leader: Calm under pressure, in and out of the ring.
“Because my entire mother’s side is from Winchester, my extended family lives in Winchester, which is like home for me. I’m very happy to be boxing for the first time there and I plan on having a great outing.”
Former professional world champions “Irish” Micky Ward (Lowell) – no relations to Jack Ward — and Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera (Worcester) will be special guests at “Collegiate Fight Night”.
Seacoast Ticket Agency is the exclusive online (www.seacoastticket.com) and phone(1.800.382.5242) ordering ticket service for “Collegiate Fight Night”. Tickets plus ($2.50 service fee) are priced at $20.00 for general admission and limited $40.00 ringside reserved. Limited $500 VIP packages are also available and include four ringside reserved tickets, including a pre-event reception at Lucias Ristorante in Winchester (cash bar), company name recognition in the event program, post and pre-event Meet & Greet with special guest boxers at Lucias. Tickets may be available to purchase fight night at the door, however, this event is expected to sell-out in advance.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /NCBA, /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

“Collegiate Fight Night” Saturday, Nov. 11 in Winchester, MA

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WINCHESTER, Mass. (October 18, 2017) – Studying will be replaced by punching on Saturday night (7 p.m. ET start), November 11, when the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA), in association with USA Boxing, presents “Collegiate Fight Night” at Maurer Auditorium (town hall on Mt. Vernon St.) in Winchester, Massachusetts.
An entertaining evening of 10 amateur bouts are scheduled as the Cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point take on a New England all-star caliber team comprised of boxers from the Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), University of Massachusetts, University of Connecticut, Trinity College and Harvard University.
“College boxing is not just a sport but also a high-impact leadership development activity,” NCBA president Eric Buller said. “Come out and support these young men and women who face the highest levels of rigor in the classroom and the boxing gym. They will ultimately be the future leaders of our companies, communities and our nation.  Each has worked hard to earn membership in the “Six-Minute Fraternity”.
Two West Points Cadets from Winchester, Luca LoConte Bota and Jack Ward, will headline the event in the homecoming.
Former professional world champions “Irish” Micky Ward (Lowell) and Jose Antonio “El Gallo” Rivera (Worcester) will be special guests at “Collegiate Fight Night”.
Seacoast Ticket Agency is the exclusive online (www.seacoastticket.com) and phone(1.800.382.5242) ordering ticket service for “Collegiate Fight Night”. Tickets plus ($2.50 service fee) are priced at $20.00 for general admission and limited $40.00 ringside reserved. Limited $500 VIP packages are also available and include four ringside reserved tickets, including a pre-event reception at Lucias Ristorante in Winchester (cash bar), company name recognition in the event program, post and pre-event Meet & Greet with special guest boxers at Lucias. Tickets may be available to purchase fight night at the door, however, this event is expected to sell-out in advance.
INFORMATION:
Twitter: @USABoxing
Instagram: @USABoxing
Facebook: /NCBA, /USABoxing
amateur boxing, boxing

Damien Vazquez, Blair Cobbs and Tye Brooks Victorious in Mexico

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VAZQUEZ, COBBS, AND BROOKS
 VICTORIOUS IN AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO

Photo by Team Prince Ranch Boxing
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 17, 2017) – Undefeated prospects, super-flyweight Damien “Sugar” Vazquez (12-0, 6 KOs), super-lightweight, Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (7-0, 5 KOs), and light-heavyweight Tye Brooks (1-0, 1 KO), all who fight under the Prince Ranch Boxing (PRB) management banner, were victorious this past Saturday at the Palenque de la Feria in Aguascalientes, Mexico.  The card was promoted by Damien Vazquez’s “Sugar Promotions” in associations with Malibu Films and SOBA Recovery Centers.
In the scheduled 8-round main event, Damien Vazquez, stopped his opponent Ivan Galicia Morelos, retiring the Mexican native who didn’t come out for the fifth round.  Blair Cobbs went the distance with Hugo Padilla, winning a unanimous 6-round decision.  Tye Brooks won his pro debut with a first round knockout over Ivan Najera.  New signee’s, flyweight Maryan Salazar (6-2, 4 KOs) and lightweight Issac Avelar (13-0, 8 KOs) were also victorious.  Avelar went the distance for the first time winning an 8-round unanimous decision, while Salazar won a 4-round unanimous decision.
“I was very happy that the Prince Ranch Boxing team went out there and got victories, going 5-0 in Mexico,” said Greg Hannely president of Prince Ranch Boxing. “The goal is to keep our stable of boxers constantly fighting.  With each bout they are getting the experience they need to help them prepare fight bigger fights.  We have big plans moving forward and as we grow, the boxing world will take notice.”
“It was a great show with a lot of up and coming talent,” said president of Sugar PromotionsOscar Vazquez. “Sugar Promotions is just getting started and we are off to a great start.  We will be making an announcement shortly about our next show.”
“Vazquez, Cobbs and Brooks, all gained quality experience and confidence with these victories,” said head trainer Clarence “Bones” Adams, “All the hard work in the gym is paying off.  All three of them will be back in the gym next week, ready to put in more work.”