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The observer | FRIDAY, March 2, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
Angelotti achieves personal fundraising goal By CONNOR MULVENA Sports Writer
For Dominic Angelotti, a senior from Carroll Hall, boxing is a relatively new venture. Angelotti transferred to Notre Dame in his sophomore year, so for him, boxing was a way to get in shape and foster new friendships in an unfamiliar place. “I started boxing my sophomore year,” Angelotti said. “I was attracted to it initially for the workout aspect — I really wanted to get in good shape, meet some new people as a transfer student, expand my horizons.” But soon after committing to Bengal Bouts, Angelotti discovered a new interest in the form of fundraising and charity. The Holy Cross mission in Bangladesh is clearly a fundamental part of the efforts behind Bengal Bouts, and although Angelotti has not had the opportunity to travel abroad in those efforts, he has done a considerable amount on campus. “I just kind of fell in love with the fundraising aspect [after
joining],” Angelotti said. “ ... [I’m most proud of] just being able to raise the most amount of money I’ve raised so far this year out of my three years and just getting better at boxing each year.” And the efforts here on campus which go into organizing Bengal Bouts are extensive, to say the least. Between organizing the tournament, fundraising and physically preparing for the fights, boxers — especially the captains — do a lot to ensure the tournament’s smooth operation. In becoming a captain his senior year, Angelotti has come to develop an immense appreciation for those efforts. “I’ve realized there are a lot more things behind the scenes to do,” he said. “The previous two years, I’ve boxed and I’ve helped fundraise and everything like that, but I didn’t really have an idea of just how much went into planning the tournament, organizing events, coming up with fundraising ideas and goals — all of the administrative stuff that happens behind the scenes.” Furthermore, as a result of
his involvement in the bouts, Angelotti has developed a significant affinity for boxing itself. He said the sport teaches lessons and fosters characteristics that are extremely valuable. “I think it really just teaches mental strength. I’ve learned how to push myself and how to assess my boundaries physically, emotionally, mentally — not just doing the workouts, but in everyday life,” Angelotti said. Although Angelotti was eliminated in the first round this year, he has had considerable success in his career at Notre Dame, as he made it to the semifinal round of last year’s Bouts. Angelotti will have one more year to cap off his Bengal Bouts career, as he is pursuing a one-year master’s program at Notre Dame for the 2018-19 school year. Nonetheless, he said his captaincy experience has moved him to develop an appreciation for what goes on behind the Bouts, especially the efforts of the Holy Cross mission. Contact Connor Mulvena at cmulvena@nd.edu
Dethlefs finds meaning through Bangladesh trip By MADISON RIEHLE Sports Writer
“‘First with the head, and then with the heart,’” senior captain Chris Dethlefs said, quoting the book “The Power of One.” “That idea of having a composed mental approach, a plan in your mind coming into your fight and then letting the heart take over in that third round.” That’s the mentality Dethlefs has going into his final Bengal Bouts fight — the fight he has worked towards over the past four years. “The last two years, I was in the semifinals, and I finally made it to the finals this year,” Dethlefs said. “I tried to have a little more fun with it this year, take it a little less seriously, focus a little less on myself. I think that helped me improve individually as a boxer and just enjoy it more. I made strides in my own style and development as a boxer, and so it really came together for me this year.” In his second year as captain, Dethlefs started preparing for this year’s Bouts over the summer, joining a gym in Omaha near his hometown of La Vista, Nebraska. “I got some good experience there with a coach who worked with me [to] help develop my style a little more,” Dethlefs
said, “That has been an important piece — getting comfortable with inside fighting and kind of just being a bully in the ring. I’m much more relaxed, I can just stay on guys, and all my hours of back work are finally paying off, and I’ve been able to kind of just fight more instinctively in there when I get inside.” A math and pre-med double major hailing from Sorin Hall, Dethlefs knew about Bengal Bouts before coming to Notre Dame. “I know someone from back home who is a year below me whose brother had done it when he was here,” Dethlefs said. “I love hard work and the training that goes into this and the background. I was excited about that aspect of it: learning a new sport, training hard.” Dethlefs also attributed his love of boxing and Bengal Bouts to the program’s relationship with the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. “The fact that I could tie the sport to a real mission and cause that empowers other people made it really special,” Dethlefs said. “I just thought that was the coolest club I could find, and so I just dove in and went all in freshman year.” After freshman year, Dethlefs traveled to Bangladesh along
with another Bengal Bouts boxer to visit the missions. He attributes his inspiration in practice and in the ring to the people in Bangladesh, who struck him with their kindness, work and the fights they face. “I have been really devoted ever since I went to Bangladesh and saw what we do over there. There are a lot of beautiful people there — so gracious and humble and receptive to us,” Dethlefs said. “We worked with Holy Cross priests, traveling to different communities, going to masses and speaking about our program and what we are doing for them. It was an amazing, unforgettable experience. Totally different linguistic and cultural landscape that you have to dive into, a lot of things to get used to.” As far as his last fight, Dethlefs said it’s all about the mentality. “I’ve been coming into my bouts just really relaxed and trying to have fun and have that mental plan in place; not blowing everything in the first 30 seconds, but just let it build,” Dethlefs said. “These last four years have been an amazing experience. It is definitely one of the most important things I’ve done here at Notre Dame.” Contact Madison Riehle at mriehle@nd.edu
Camara embraces role as Bouts recruiter By PETER BALTES Sports Writer
Joaquin Camara is a senior Resident Assistant (RA) living in Keenan Hall, a Bengal Bouts captain and an incredibly tenacious fighter. Camara won the 142-pound weight class in last year’s Bouts and is preparing to compete in this year’s 148-pound final this Friday. Camara began boxing at Notre Dame his freshman year and immediately became aware of the club’s welcoming atmosphere. “I actually first found out about Bengal Bouts from watching YouTube videos of the championships previous years the summer before I started my time at Notre Dame,” Camara said. “That sort of faded into my memory as [an] afterthought, but what really got me into the program was the activities fair. The Bengal Bouts guys were so friendly, and they invited me to sign up and join the club, so I did.” From the first day of training, Camara realized that he would be pushed to his physical limits in a way that would build individual strength and foster true camaraderie. “The very first day of practice, they gave me the hardest workout I had ever done. It was a group workout; you had a buddy, and there were four stations, one was abs, legs, upper body and full body,” he said. “And in between each one you had to carry your buddy to the station.” Camara saw that the philosophy of Bengal Bouts was positively transformative, something that he very much wanted to be a part of. “I realized then that the club’s mission was threefold,” he said. “One, to develop each person [as an] individual. Two, to grow together as a team. And three, to raise money for the missions of Holy Cross in Bangladesh. That threefold mission is something that I really bought into. It really represented everything that I wanted in a club: service, personal development and teamwork in a group of friends. It’s
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brotherhood, really.” As one of this year’s 11 Bengal Bouts captains, Camara specializes in recruitment. While that role was of great importance at the beginning of the season, he has been using his role to foster a vibrant and welcoming community within the club over the course of the entire year. “At first it’s just trying to get numbers of people to show up, but where [the role] really comes into play is getting people to stay, getting people to feel like they’re engaged, to feel like they belong,” he said. “This is a really inclusive club. You try to really build each other up in this program, and that’s sort of a culture I’ve tried to embody in my interactions with the other boxers. I try to mentor them, help them become better at their craft, push them to do the best they can do. … That’s been my main goal.” Camara, who will be moving on after graduation to work in Chicago as an actuarial consultant, is optimistic about the club’s future, citing the strong dedication and work ethic of the club’s younger members. “When I look at the club, I see so many upcoming leaders,” Camara said. “So many freshmen, sophomores [and] juniors who have committed themselves to the club already and really bought into that idea of what we stand for as a club. I’m so confident that they will become the future leaders who will inspire future boxers, mentor them and continue on this culture.” On Friday, Camara will compete in the final Bengal Bouts match of his career. He intends to approach it like he has every other competition: by putting forth his best effort. “I’m looking forward to showcasing everything that I’ve developed over four years, just giving it my best shot,” he said. “Whatever the outcome, my goal in every single one of my fights is not to beat the opponent, but to do my absolute best.” Contact Peter Baltes at pbaltes@nd.edu
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ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, March 2, 2018 | The Observer
Gordon rebounds from loss during first season By ADRIANNA FAZIO Sports Writer
Four years ago, Pat Gordon stepped into the ring and lost in his first Bengal Bouts finals. A dedicated, passionate and strong freshman, Gordon had set a personal goal to win the finals for all four years of his Notre Dame boxing career. His goal, however, was quickly cut short by his first-year loss. Now a senior and president of the club, the 22-year-old Gordon will step into the ring Friday night for his final match with yet another lofty ambition. “This year, it was to become the best boxer ever in Bengal Bouts,” he said. Gordon said his goal coming in his freshman year was to win every year. While that didn’t happen, Gordon said he felt he has improved each year. “Freshman year finals loss was one of the hardest things I have ever dealt with,” Gordon said. “If you lose in boxing, it’s because you weren’t good enough. Oneon-one, my opponent was better than me, and that is a very tough pill to swallow.” It was a raw loss that he still carries: He speaks about it in the present tense, even though it happened several years ago. “Using that as motivation to try and fuel my new goals and refocus myself and trying to make myself as best as possible is tough,” Gordon said. He said he trained hard his freshman year but even harder in his sophomore year. He ultimately came out victorious in the 2016 finals. That win was followed by another victory during his junior year in the 2017 season. Regardless of his hopes for wins in the ring, Gordon said his primary goal has always been fundraising for the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. He said Bengal Bouts has raised over $2 million for the Bangladeshi
people since its inception in 1931, and he wants to break this year’s goal of $175,000, though he said the effort “kind of compromised a lot of my training time.” But, like his freshman year loss, he’s not letting it stop him. “It’s kind of going out and saying that this is my last fight, my last time fighting in Bengal Bouts, which is bittersweet because it’s a lot of work, but I’m going to be really sad when it’s over,” Gordon said. Friday’s match will not be Gordon’s final boxing match outside of Bengal Bouts. He said he plans to fight in the Chicago Golden Gloves this March, but he has yet to decide about future boxing possibilities. “I have some professional [boxing] opportunities, but I will probably turn those down because I’m not sure the head trauma is worth it,” he said. “I mean, I love it too much to give it up completely, but I’ll probably just stick with amateurs.” He said no matter what happens next for him, he will remember Bengal Bouts as an experience that challenged him. “A lot of times, we tell our boxers, ‘You know, you go to school here, and you’re constantly chasing something — you’re chasing a career, you’re chasing an A or an A- in a class, you’re chasing a GPA,’” Gordon said. “A lot of times, it’s hard to pause and wonder where is there meaning; and by giving those children in Bangladesh an education, you’ve done something positive with your life, whether you’ve realized it or not. “I hope the program just continues to be what it is — that people continue to sacrifice their free time … [and] are willing to take a few black eyes and bloody noses to make an impact on somebody else in the world.”
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As captain, Lawler turns Bouts into family affair By CHARLOTTE EDMONDS Sports Writer
Paddy Lawler, a senior captain of Bengal Bouts from Lemont, Illinois, never could have imagined the impact the program would have on his college experience and personal growth. What began as a mere curiosity his freshman year quickly evolved into a passion for teamwork and service. “Fisher [Hall] has a really strong upperclassmen presence in the program. Seeing their success and commitment was enough of a reason for me to come check it out,” Lawler said of his initial involvement. “I fell in love with it immediately.” As a two-time champion, winning the 157-pound weight class as a sophomore and returning his junior year to win the 166-pound finals, Lawler will finish his career in the 170-pound weight class. Although Lawler loves the competitive aspect of the boxing club, he said the most important part of the program is the work it does for the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. “It’s everything. Every dollar we raise multiplies by so much over there,” Lawler said. “The money has a real impact and changes lives.” He said this year’s team of captains has focused on starting its outreach earlier and using technology and digital
portals to better spread their message to supporters. Lawler has personally taken a grassroots approach to garnering donations by reaching out to family and speaking at his home parish. He also said he has found success in selling tickets to students on campus. “Having been in the program for four years, people have started to identify me as a boxer. I’m able to relay all that the program does,” Lawler said. Although Lawler has never been to Bangladesh, he said he’s incredibly proud of the program’s mission. “It’s gone from providing aid to the Bengali people through food and shelter to educating them,” he said. “We’re trying to fix the root problems and hopefully provide them the ability to be economically viable. Bengal Bouts is bringing that to fruition.” This commitment to service exists throughout the entirety of the club, Lawler said. Every fighter knows that you may win or lose in the ring, but you always win as a member of Bengal Bouts. He was complimentary of the members who don’t make it to the finals, saying that’s where he noticed the most character. “Those guys leave the ring proud of their work. They come back and are a greater force for this club,” he said. “There’s so much more than just those
under the lights” Lawler’s younger brother, Tim, is a freshman at Holy Cross College. In past years, the College has not been allowed to participate in the tournament. However, the competition was opened to them this year because the captains saw it as an opportunity to extend the program’s nature of inclusion and focus on the mission. “The greatest things boxing provides you with are confidence and reliance on teammates,” Lawler said. “I got to see so much growth in my brother and his friends this season.” When asked about the honor of being named a captain, Lawler said the first word that came to mind was humbling. “To be considered as someone people look up to and to be responsible for directing them in their boxing and the mission is incredible,” he said. “We’re forming men who are going to do a lot more than just box in their lives.” Lawler said Bengal Bouts’ effect on campus is comparable to Notre Dame’s global impact. “Just as Notre Dame is the most well-rounded University, Bengal Bouts is the most wellrounded club,” he said. “We’re exercising and learning leadership and character skills, all founded on a mission of service.” Contact Charlotte Edmonds at cedmond3@nd.edu
Contact Adrianna Fazio at afazio1@nd.edu
Observer File Photo
Senior Pat Gordon, right, lands a punch on junior Ryan Richelsen during the Bengal Bouts finals March 3, 2017, at Purcell Pavilion.
Observer File Photo
Senior Paddy Lawler, right, drives a punch at his opponent during the final round of Bengal Bouts on March 3, 2017, at Purcell Pavilion. Lawler is looking to win his third Bengal Bouts title this year.
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The observer | FRIDAY, march 2, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
141 pounds
148 pounds
Chris Dethlefs vs Thomas Manno
Joaquin Camara vs Matthew Yoder
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Dethlefs def. Timothy McGuire in preliminaries def. Patrick Donovan in quarterfinals Dethlefs’ raw power def. Daniel Wilborn Manno stays cool, calm is evident in every and collected in the in semifinals punch he throws. That ring. His patience and strength, combined with Manno endurance allow him to capitalize on his oppohis rapid speed, makes def. Kyle Pieri in him a formidable fighter preliminaries nent’s mistakes and lack who barely gives his def. Raymond Zhao of energy as the bout draws on. The senior opponents a moment to in quarterfinals think before throwing takes a more aggressive def. Evan Muller in approach in the third his first punch to their semifinals head. round.
165 pounds
Camara def. Liam Nugent in preliminaries def. David Hamilton in quarterfinals Camara’s confidence Yoder is an intelligent def. Timothy in the ring shows. The Leisenring in semifinals fighter with a quick, senior brings an arsenal precise style. He is of combinations to the Yoder not as quick to take ring, making it tough for the offensive as some def. Ryan Smith in his opponent to read of his teammates; but preliminaries what the senior lacks him. But it also cannot def. Christopher be ignored that the Nunes in quarterfinals in pure aggressiveness, speed of his combinahe makes up for in a def. Leonard Calvo tions is threatening in a in semifinals calculated and efficient fight. use of energy.
170 pounds
Daniel Childers vs Mike Luchini
Paddy Lawler vs Patrick Yerkes
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Childers bye in preliminaries def. Nicholas Yano in quarterfinals def. Parker Revers in Childers is a patient Luchini has worked his semifinals way through his first fighter who waits for his opponent to open Luchini tournament. What he himself up. Childers lacks in experience, bye in preliminaries does not let punches def. Kenneth Bryson he makes up for in go to waste and lands in quarterfinals power. He knows how his hits with precision. def. Luke Rafferty in to pack a punch, with He uses his reach loads of strength. By semifinals making each one of his to his advantage by landing hits that catch hits effective, he wears opponents off guard. down opponents.
Lawler bye in preliminaries def. Joseph Trzaska in quarterfinals def. Daniel O’Brien in semifinals
Lawler is one of the most experienced and aggressive fighters left Yerkes in the tournament. The bye in preliminaries senior’s fighting style is def. David Salazar in highlighted by his condi- quarterfinals tioning and his powerful def. Taylor Vucinich hooks. His ability to in semifinals move around the ring makes it difficult for his opponents to land hits.
Yerkes is not afraid to take hits, preferring to strike when his opponent becomes vulnerable. His defense is impressive, as he blocks big hits efficiently and uses his quick feet to move around the ring and wear his opponent down.
204 pounds
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@ObserverSports
Jackson Wrede vs Montana Giordano PATH TO THE FINALS
A seasoned fighter, Wrede knows when to strike and has outstanding defense to compliment his offensive savvy. Wrede’s strong punches allow him to take his time in finding holes in his opponent’s defense.
Wrede bye in preliminaries def. Ryan Guinn in quarterfinals def. Andrew Sharpe in semifinals Giordano bye in preliminaries def. Isaac Kimmel in quarterfinals def. Anthony Anonia in semifinals
Giordano will go straight at his opponents from the start of the match. Using his height to his advantage, the junior will strike with lightning-quick punches to the torso, though he prefers to aim for his opponent’s head.
INSIDER
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154 pounds
162 pounds
Michael Feijoo vs Steven Ramos
Joey Quinones vs Johnny Link
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
Feijoo’s low, catlike fighting style allows him to steal valuable hits from opponents before they see them coming. The junior boxes low, using the bend in his knees and a steady sway to corner opponents into the ropes and explode there.
Feijoo def. Drew Cushing in preliminaries def. Benjamin Bernhard in quarterfinals def. Timothy Mikulski in semifinals
Power is key for Ramos. The senior stands up tall when he boxes, but he is unshaken when opponents try to take Ramos def. Daniel Guerra in advantage. Ramos hits with a strength that preliminaries def. Nicholas Jeffrey in leaves opponents unable to counter and keeps it quarterfinals coming once he finds an def. Julian Minondo opportunity. in semifinals
178 pounds
Quinones def. Noah Furneri in preliminaries def. Jack Posluszny in quarterfinals Quinones carefully Link is an aggressive def. Tim Lawler in fighter who likes to evaluates his decisions semifinals and never looks disorgaset his match’s pace. nized or flustered, even Link He forces his oppowhen in a tough spot or nent onto the ropes def. Kyle Mettler in on defense. Quinones and minimizes the preliminaries space between his also excels when he def. Ryan Chestnut successfully uses clean opponent, so as to in quarterfinals combinations that take take away the reach def. Jack Feger in advantage of his oppo- semifinals advantage his opponent’s weaknesses. nent might have.
186 pounds
Jack McDermott vs Wesley Chamblee
Cam Nolan vs Michael Krecek
PATH TO THE FINALS
PATH TO THE FINALS
McDermott bye in preliminaries def. Ishaan Goel in quarterfinals def. Mark Chaikovsky in semifinals
Nolan bye in preliminaries def. Carlos Duran in quarterfinals def. Bryce Tournat in With some of the semifinals quickest hips and feet in the tournament, Krecek bye in preliminaries Krecek excels at finding def. James Fraser in his way out of corner traps. Early in the quarterfinals match, the junior will def. Eric Requet in try to impose his will on semifinals opponents with a flurry of quick strikes to both the torso and head.
McDermott is a defensive-minded fighter who excels in dodging and blocking, countering with strong, straight punches. He has nimble feet and uses them to his advantage to duck punches, avoid corner traps and deliver quick hits to his opponents.
Chamblee is a patient fighter who waits for his best chance to strike. Once ChamChamblee bye in preliminaries blee has tested his opponents, he quickly def. Christopher Lembo in quarterfinals starts exploiting their def. Charlie Puntillo weakness. An opponent who cannot stand up in semifinals to Chamblee’s patience could struggle.
Nolan is a strong and patient boxer; he will not force anything and will land strong hooks with either arm when he sees an opening. Opponents will have a hard time keeping up with the junior’s quick strikes and one-two combos.
Heavyweight
Pat Gordon vs Ryan Richelsen PATH TO THE FINALS Gordon bye in preliminaries def. Kevin Kosman in quarterfinals def. Keenan Gordon utilizes one Centilivre in semifinals Richelsen prides himself on his great of the quickest onedefense. He is able to two combo punches Richelsen avoid one-two punchin the program and bye in preliminaries es fairly well and keeps has years of experidef. Erik Hoberg in his distance from ence in boxing. He quarterfinals opponents. When in has a strong left def. Ali Thomas in close quarters, the hook — he can land semifinals junior can use his quick two straight to an feet to outmaneuver opponent’s head behis opponents. fore they even react.
BRIDGET DONNELLY | The Observer
Freshman Leonard Calvo, right, connects with senior Matthew Yoder during the semifinal round of Bengal Bouts on Monday in Dahnke Family Ballroom.
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The observer | FRIDAY, march 2, 2018 | ndsmcobserver.com
Quinones takes on role of coach, corner By MEAGAN BENS Sports Writer
Senior captain Joey Quinones made the transition from mixed martial arts to boxing his freshman year, and as much as he enjoys the fighting, his proudest moments revolve around his coaching experience. “I have been doing marital arts since I was 4,” Quinones said. “I thought it would be a smooth transition. I knew how to punch, basic technique. It gave me a couple weeks head start. Once again, with sparring, it’s a whole different ball game. Having someone else with you makes it a lot different. With more of a mixed martial arts background, bringing it down to just punches is different.” Making it to the quarterfinals his freshman year, and to the semifinals both his sophomore and junior years, Quinones said he was surprised when he was announced as a captain. “There are a few other guys in the club that just moved ahead farther in the tournament than I did,” Quinones said. “I thought, on paper, the other guys just have a better histor y with the club. I think it was more of a challenge for me. If I don’t feel like I am up for this, I have to be the most prepared person. I have to put in the time, I have to show them that they didn’t make a mistake with this. And I think my work with Baraka Bouts and with the other guys in the club — I don’t think I could have done any more.”
As a captain, Quinones put his time and effort into organizing spars and coaching other boxers outside the ring. “One thing I did a lot last year, that I wasn’t able to do much this year but still love to do, is cornering for guys during spars,” Quinones said. “Just talking to them while doing it, coaching them through it, talking between rounds and telling them what they can improve on. Working with them outside of the ring to drill in those tips that would be helpful.” Quinones’ first experience cornering was last year as a junior captain, and his proudest moment was sending a fighter to the Baraka Bouts finals. “There was one girl I ended up working with throughout the whole semester,” Quinones said. “One of the first days, I knew her just through association of other people, and she asked if we could work together. We put in the time, and she won. That was probably the proudest I have ever been.” In addition to fully committing himself to the fighting and coaching experience, Quinones has immersed himself into the charity aspect. “‘Mrong’ is my nickname, and it’s a common last name in the village that we visited,” Quinones said. “During one of the village visits, my site partner was told he looked like he was related to one of them, and the kids gave him a last name and they told me they would give me one too. Ever y place we went, they
EMMA FARNAN | The Observer
Senior Bengal Bouts captain Joey Quinones, right, deflects a punch during a quarterfinal matchup Feb. 19 in Dahnke Family Ballroom. Quinones transitioned from an MMA fighter to a boxer in college.
thought it was so funny to say this is Joseph Mrong. ... I felt ver y integrated into the community; they really welcomed us by doing that. They also appreciated that we took on that title and threw ourselves into it, attempting to speak the language with them, just tr ying our best there. The ISSLP isn’t made so we go there and save them. It’s about living with them, getting these stories and bringing them back and learning as much about the community there and knowing this mission is doing good things, but it can also do so much more.”
Quinones said while he is fighting to put on the best show and draw people to donate to provide an education to the children in Bangladesh, he wears wraps filled with signatures. “I have wraps that have all the names of people that have helped me, trained with me and bought tickets,” Quinones said. “Signatures, messages from my parents. Some messages in Bengali. These are my tournament wraps that I started sophomore year. They remind me that it’s not just me in there, it’s all the support.” Heading into the finals
Friday, Quinones’ biggest supporter, his father, will be watching from the side of the ring. “My dad came for semifinals and is staying for finals,” Quinones said. “He’s always been so supportive through martial arts and ever ything that I have done. He started martial arts when I started, and it’s something he just lived into. The first person I went up to when I was done with the last bout and after cornering for a few was my dad.” Contact Meagan Bens at mbens@nd.edu
ANN CURTIS | The Observer
Bengal Bouts president Pat Gordon, third from right, stands with his fellow senior captains, from left to right, Joaquin Camara, Dominic Angelotti, Matthew Yoder, Jackson Wrede, Chris Dethlefs, Paddy Lawler and Joey Quinones. Seven of the eight senior captains have advanced to the final round in their respective weight classes.
INSIDER
ndsmcobserver.com | Friday, March 2, 2018 | The Observer
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Yoder finds unlikely connection to mission By CHARLIE ORTEGA GUIFARRO Sports Writer
Senior Matthew Yoder has been a member of Bengal Bouts since his freshman year. Hav ing reached the final round tw ice, Yoder has gone 0-2 in his attempts at a title. This year, however, Yoder is more determined than ever to obtain the elusive championship he has desperately wanted since his first semester at Notre Dame. The goal for 2018 is clear. “I want a championship,” he said. Yoder said the highlight of his collegiate box ing career has been making it to the finals two years in a row. His inspirations to keep participating in Bengal Bouts — aside from tr y ing to w in the title — include ties to family, one of which was unexpected, and the desire to maintain a structured lifest yle. “Freshman year, I went to activ ities night, and I had a cousin who had [boxed in Bengal Bouts] before,” Yoder said. “I just thought this was a great way to transition into a standard routine, practice — I was a varsit y athlete for all four years in high school — so I wanted to continue w ith that structured routine of practices. Then, I learned about the mission and that just captured my attention as well. I later found out that my great uncle boxed, Uncle Paul, back in the ’40s, and that propelled me to continue box ing.” With respect to the Holy Cross mission, Yoder has done most of his charit y work through the club’s fundraising efforts. Despite never traveling to Bangladesh, he found satisfaction and
BRIDGET DONNELLY | The Observer
Senior Matthew Yoder, left, takes a swing at his opponent, freshman Leonard Calvo, during Monday’s semifinal matchup in Dahnke Family Ballroom. Yoder has reached the final round twice before but has never won a title. He will have a third and final opportunity Friday.
surprise in a peculiar moment that he had in Italy. “My involvement [in the Holy Cross mission] basically just stems from the fundraising that I’ve done, obv iously, talking about it as well. Funny enough though, I did run in to someone who went to school there — a Bangladeshi,” Yoder said. “It was over in Rome — he was working in Rome — and we got to talking. He heard that I was clearly not a Roman accent, or Italian, and he’s like, ‘W here are you from? ’ I said, ‘The United States.’ ‘Oh, I’m from Bangladesh,’ he said. I said, ‘Do you know any thing about the Holy Cross mission? ’ He said, ‘I went to a
school that was founded by them.’ I said, ‘No way, I’ve been fighting for you since my freshman year.’ So it was really cool to have that connection.” Yoder has taken his role of captain seriously. He said the role is not just about helping others improve but self-improvement as well, as one must set the example for others to follow. “W hat I’ve had to do [as a captain] is go out of my comfort zone or go outside of my ow n sphere of inf luence, where I make myself the best boxer that I can,” Yoder said. “I had to then go and watch other people as they would spar, watch the people doing
technique or push them during their workouts and say, ‘Hey, I know you’ve got more in you.’ Therefore, pushing myself, I want to be the best and so, I not only have to be my best but pushing others to reach that level. I can’t plateau because then people are going to catch up to me, and so you’re constantly evolv ing, adapting your st yle and helping out the next generation.” Bearing the nickname “The Fightin’ Amish,” Yoder explained the histor y behind the name. “My great to, probably the eighth power, grandfather was Amish in Indiana,” he said. “I think he went on
Rumspringa and just decided, ‘Hey, electricit y is prett y nice.’ So basically from there, we’ve been not-Amish ever since.” The senior in O’Neill Hall is unsure about the future of his box ing career post-graduation, but he has not ruled out the possibilit y of fighting in box ing clubs. “I’d like to join a boxing g y m,” Yoder said. “Hopefully, I’ll be in a major cit y where they have some sort of a club I can join. I’m not quite sure if I’ll do something like Golden Gloves, but I’m not going to count it out.” Contact Charlie Ortega Guifarro at cortegag@nd.edu
Wrede finds deep connection in Bangladesh By JACK CONCANNON Sports Writer
Bengal Bouts’ motto is “strong bodies fight, that weak bodies may be nourished.” Bengal Bouts raises nearly $200,000 each year for Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh to build houses, schools and churches. Many have fought in and donated to Bengal Bouts, but few have traveled to Bangladesh to see those donations at work. Enter Jackson Wrede, a senior and two-time captain representing Knott Hall in the 204-pound weight class. Despite Wrede’s box ing prowess — he advanced to the finals in both his freshman and sophomore years
— he believes the really important part of the program is the money that it raises and the people it helps in Bangladesh. “Ever y summer, we send a few guys over to Bangladesh. I was one of four guys to get selected to go over by the members who have gone in the past,” Wrede said. “We spent a week over there in the capital cit y of Dhaka living w ith priests. After that, we moved into the rural area where we liv ing w ith priests at a church for almost t wo months. “We taught kids English; we spent a lot of time v isiting nearby v illages where the tribal people lived. We were guests in their homes. It was a really cool trip to
see where our money goes and what kind of impact we make over there. It was funny because the whole time we were over there, we were identified as ‘the boxers.’ I don’t really think of myself as a boxer, per se; I’m more of a student and a son and a lot of other things, but the fact they identif y us as that shows us how important the club is to them, and know ing that we do make a difference made it an awesome summer experience.” Despite being a t wo-year captain, Wrede has never won Bengal Bouts. He finished second his first t wo years in the program and lost in the semifinals last year. Many people would be discouraged getting so close
to their goal, but Wrede uses it as motivation. He remains focused on achiev ing his ultimate goal of w inning a title. “Any time you’re going to lose in the finals, that lights a fire in you,” Wrede said. “Last year, I felt like I was almost regressing. Last year, I probably wasn’t as involved in practice, even though I was a captain. I just didn’t have that motivation. A combination of losing in the semifinals and going to Bangladesh and seeing the importance of this club has helped me take it more seriously senior year.” Wrede now has one more shot at a title, going against junior Montana Giordano for the 204-pound weight
div ision championship. Wrede has been here before; he knows what he needs to do to w in. “As deep and complicated as box ing can be, it’s a prett y simple sport in the fact that, you don’t want to get hit and you want to hit the other guy,” Wrede said. “I know how Montana fights. He’s a tough kid, he’s know n in the club as a tough customer. I have a good feel for his st yle. I’m prett y confident that If I execute my game plan and do the stuff that I’m good at — keeping my hands up, mov ing my head, throw my hooks — I’ll get the w in on Friday.” Contact Jack Concannon at jconcan2@nd.edu