Dec. 7, 2024 was a roller coaster of emotions for Nate Pe\u00f1a. The Springfield College junior and aspiring pro boxer eagerly stepped in the ring for his first ever amateur match with high hopes \u2014 but lost.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in the gym literally the next day,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cI almost cried because I worked so hard and I needed to just get it back. I was devastated. I couldn\u2019t let it happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n
With just a month until his next fight in January of 2025, Pe\u00f1a practiced and trained time and time again until he knew he couldn\u2019t lose his next match \u2014 and he didn\u2019t. Pe\u00f1a won his next four matches, and now a year later, the senior has a record of 10-4 while crowned the top amateur boxer in New England for light heavyweight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a person, I\u2019ve grown a lot,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cI\u2019ve been able to balance school, boxing, work, internships, all at the same time, and it\u2019s been very stressful at times, but now that I\u2019ve had 14 fights , and I\u2019ve competed, traveled, done all this \u2013 It has helped me become the person I am today.\u201d<\/p>\n
The work that Pe\u00f1a has put in to jumpstart his boxing career is something athletes can admire. Pe\u00f1a slept in an office at Central City Boxing throughout the 2024 summer so he could maximize his training, as he had a stacked and restless schedule consisting of three daily workouts. He honed in on specific skills in the morning, did cardio in the afternoon and stayed at Central City for three hours at night with his teammates doing different activities.<\/p>\n
A big piece of Pe\u00f1a\u2019s recent success has come from the people who have stuck with him through his journey so far. Pe\u00f1a credits his girlfriend, Emilia Ramos for behind the scenes efforts which has helped him greatly.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s been super supportive since my first fight,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cEven before that when I told her I wanted to box, she was accepting and even helped with meals, recovery, and showed up to all my fights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another reason why Pe\u00f1a is thriving is due to his coach, Mike Rodriguez.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMike and I have a very strong connection,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cI really believe in his philosophy of boxing and having those intellectual conversations a lot about boxing helps. Obviously we put in the work, but also being able to talk about it and break it down has helped our relationship. He\u2019s just a very genuine person.\u201d<\/p>\n
Progressing through his short career, Pe\u00f1a moved up a weight class. He now competes at 176 pounds, which isn\u2019t his normal weight (172). The bump in Pe\u00f1a\u2019s weight allows him to compete daily without struggling to make weight, using that energy to focus solely on the next fight.<\/p>\n
The true drive behind Pe\u00f1a stems from pure confidence, and it\u2019s a trait that Pena takes to heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe amount of work that I\u2019ve put in has made me confident,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cThe nervous feeling has gone away. I know who I am and what I need to do to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pe\u00f1a has won the Western New England Golden Gloves tournament, the Rocky Marciano tournament and most recently won the New England Open Championship in early November. Pe\u00f1a\u2019s most recent victory allows him to compete at a national level in the USA Boxing Championship, starting on Dec. 6.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen glimpses of my potential,\u201d Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cI\u2019ve had a bunch of high-level fighters reassure me of my talent, and it makes me feel I can one day be at that level. Winning the New England tournament was the first time I realized that I can actually go somewhere with this, and I know I can do whatever it takes.\u201d <\/p>\n
If interested in following Pe\u00f1a\u2019s boxing journey, go to @nathaboxeo<\/a><\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t