TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – 11 Toledo children competed this weekend in the finals of one of the nation’s largest boxing events, with six members of Team Cartel Elite Boxing returning home with national championship belts.
The team, which has operated for about 10 years, trains children as young as eight years old. Six of the team’s competitors who traveled to the “King of the Jungle” National Championship in Grand Rapids, Michigan, came back as titleholders.
Boxers reflect on their wins
Among the champions is Skyyanna Jones, who claimed her second national title at the event. Jones said the experience of winning alongside her teammates feels amazing.
“We be getting to run and punching the bag and getting belts. I don’t be getting bullied no more,” Jones said.
13-year-old Kyndell Brooks is also among the titleholders. Now in his eighth year of boxing, Brooks said the win motivates him to keep improving.
“It makes me happy because I know I’ve done something well. So I just keep getting better and better,” Brooks said. “I just got to do what I got to do in the ring, to be honest. It’s the hurting business.”
Coach says titles reflect team’s work ethic
Coach Robert Mumford said the championships are a product of the team’s dedication.
“I never imagined all these kids would still be boxing after all these years, and seeing that they growing to love the sport and the things that they doing and working out and the discipline about making weight and everything is truly amazing,” Mumford said.
Mumford began his own boxing career in 2013 and compiled roughly 90 amateur fights before turning professional. He said coaching has given him a new perspective on the sport.
“From all of us starting from nothing and achieving something that we never imagined and now we have our own kids coming up behind us, it’s like history repeating itself,” Mumford said.
Team Cartel’s next competition is a USA team Boxing event scheduled for September in Cleveland. Mumford said the team’s goal is to win as many belts as possible while also having fun.
Latest Local News | First Alert Weather | Crime | National | 13abc Originals
Copyright 2026 WTVG. All rights reserved.