Air Force Academy
Mississippi Invitational
Boxers Win Three Bouts In Mississippi
10/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
Oct. 26, 2002
The Mississippi Invitational Boxing Card in Gulfport ended in a split decision for the Academy boxers as they won three of their six bouts Saturday night at the Grand Casino.
Air Force's six bouts were part of a nine-bout card which featured boxers from all three service academies.
Air Force's Thomas Parker won the first bout for the Falcons as won a decision over Navy's Mike Reel in a 145-pound division.
"Thomas used good combinations and the center of the ring to control this fight," said head coach Eddie Weichers, Jr.
In a 175-pound division, Leif Nordhagen won a decision over Navy's Agur Adams. Adams was elusive throughout the three rounds, according to Weichers, but Nordhagen was successful in cutting the ring off to corner Adams.
The third Air Force victory came in the 198-pound division with Chad Nikolic earning a decision over Army's Bobby Greer. Nikolic earned the victory by putting constant pressure on Greer.
Luis Pena, Frank Wilson and Ben Chapman suffered defeats before a capacity crowd in the casino ballroom. Army's Darren Joyce on his 135-pound bout over Pena; Navy's David Rainey earned a decision over Wilson in a 198-pound division and Chapman was stopped in the first round by Army's Rob Horton.
"Overall, I thought we competed very well," Weichers said. "This trip provided us some very good experience as we look towards our goal of defending out national title next spring."
