BOOM. After exchanging heavy jabs and crosses, a fighter takes a knee, his glove presses the ground to hold him steady. While his eyes look down at the ring’s blue floor, an eager crowd of spectators erupts in cheer, displacing the silence following the blow. It was bout one, round one of the UT San Antonio Boxing Show in the Sombrilla, and anticipation filled the air. The referee began counting: “One, two, three, four.”
The Boxing Club was hosting 10 fighters to face off in five three-round bouts on April 15. Every competitor carried their own aspirations, some heavier than others.
“I’m fighting on behalf of the entire Black community. Black women, especially, we are constantly overlooked,” senior Jasmine Williams expressed. “I will prevail for them.”
Williams, The Paisano’s Editor-in-Chief, faced off against junior Emma Cavanaugh, the publication’s Distribution Manager, in the third bout.
Others emphasized self-growth.
“It’s not really a matter of going to war with this guy. I love this guy,” freshman Andrew Cox professed about his opponent. “I’m just trying to beat me.”
“Five, six, seven, eight,” the ref continued. Ramos Boxing Club fighter Devin Rodriguez rose to his feet, locking eyes with Cox, his opponent. In round two, Rodriguez cautiously advanced. Cox took the offensive and scored key shots to the face. Rodriguez attempted to recover ground in the third round, forcing Cox to continuously retreat. After a frenzied final 10 seconds — both fighters abandoning defense — Cox emerged victorious in a split decision.
The crowd swelled during bouts one and two, but it came to life in bout three.
Round one began, and Cavanaugh rushed forward, but Williams responded with cross-jabs to the face. After 20 seconds, the pair entered a war of attrition, trading a high-velocity stream of punches. When they split, the crowd’s voluminous applause and encouragement pushed them back together. Trades were even, but Williams took advantage of breaks in action to slip in additional hooks. By the third round, though, Williams was exhausted, and Cavanaugh pushed her into a corner. Despite Cavanaugh’s comeback, Williams walked away with the win.
If bout four between freshman Anthony Vasquez and junior Adam Farra was heavyweight power-lifting, bout five, featuring senior Angel Figueroa and junior Joshua Bamisebi, was a dance.
Long, patient pauses broke up otherwise rapid-paced matches. Figueroa continuously evaded Bamisebi’s reach advantage, waiting to close distance. Only in round three was Bamisebi able to trap Figueroa, pinning him tucked against the ropes, beginning a 10-count for Figueroa. Despite this short-fall, Figueroa’s superior movement crowned him bout five’s winner.
Between triumph and defeat, every fighter appeared satisfied with their performance.
The club’s founder, senior Cameron Rankin, also discussed the organization. According to Rankin, the club is seeking university support and funding. He hopes, eventually, it can be an official university club sport.
“Imagine the birds on the uniforms. That would be really cool,” Rankin dreamt.
For now, the Boxing Club meets Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the field between the John Peace Library and the Arts Building.