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ASU's boxing team loses in first sanctioned fights

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Anthropology graduate student Richie Meyers prepares for his amateur fight Saturday at the Madison Boxing Gym in Phoenix. Meyers was one of the three boxers who fought at the first National Collegiate Boxing Association event for ASU.

ASU's boxing team lost three sanctioned fights Saturday in its first fights at the National Collegiate Boxing Association level.

"This is the first time we were fully recognized. This is history in the making," Coach Larry Lentz said. The team has been a club for six years.

The boxing team faced the University of Nevada-Las Vegas in front of about 20 ASU fans at the Madison Boxing Gym in Phoenix. Because the team is new to the collegiate level, Lentz and Coach Andy Soto only allowed two boxers to fight against UNLV and one to box in an amateur fight.

Lentz said he saw the losses as wins.

"We won by just showing up. UNLV is a respectable team, and now we're on the map," he said. "The most important thing here is that we got to fight. We're over one hump, and now we need to get a W."

After the fights, Soto said he wants to work on the team members' mental ability more than their physical strength.

"They were physically prepared, but when it comes to stepping in the ring the mental needs to be there, too," Soto said. "This was the first collegiate fight that these guys had and they were nervous. Boxing is more mental than physical."

The NCBA is a non-profit organization that encourages the development of intramural and instructional programs that teach fundamental boxing skills. Recruiting and scholarships are illegal because the fighters are expected to be inexperienced.

Jesse Moreng, a business communication senior, fought against UNLV boxer Jose Gonzales for three two-minute rounds. This was the Moreng's first fight and Gonzales' sixth.

Economics freshman Brad Westfall boxed with UNLV's David Wengell. After three rounds and bloody faces, the referee ruled Wengell the winner.

The amateur fight pitted anthropology graduate student Richie Meyers against Victor Rodriguez, the son of the Madison Boxing Gym owner. In the third round, the referee stopped the fight and gave the win to Rodriguez.

Team member and business junior Luke Adams did not fight on Saturday and after he saw the fights he understood why.

"At first I was pissed that the coaches didn't put me in, but after watching those, shoot, I need a lot more practice," he said.

Jennifer Heflin, a boxing fan and an interdisciplinary studies senior, said she thinks the boxing club has the potential to make a lot of money if the fights are more accessible to students. Admission to the matches was $8.

Chad Ellsworth, ASU assistant director of intramural sports and clubs, was there to see his first fight in his first year at ASU. He said he was hired to look for new sources of funds for club sports.

"First-year clubs like the boxing club usually don't get any money because we are afraid they might fold under. However, the club program is coming into a new era and we are going to make sure policies like that one are legitimate," he said.

Clubs do not start receiving money from the University until the second year of operation.

Jennifer D'Emilio, a construction engineering junior, also boxes for the team and said that female boxers intrigue people.

"I know so many people who would pay to see me box as a girl. They are interested because they have never seen girls box. It isn't popular yet and I think guys and girls alike are ready to see a more muscular girl playing a sport that isn't so traditional," she said.

Reach Sandy Almendarez at salmend@imap2.asu.edu.


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