Air Force Academy
Regional Semifinals
Boxing Team Opens Strong At Regionals
3/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Boxing
March 23, 2002
Air Force placed nine boxers in the finals of the National Collegiate Boxing Association Western Regional Championship Friday night at Reno's (NV) El Dorado Hotel. The Falcons are on a quest to win their fourth consecutive national title.
Defending national champion Ulysses Linares won his semifinal bout with a decision over California's Abu Ramin in the 147-pound weight class. Dustin Brown, who is seeking his second consecutive national title drew a bye in the 195-pound class and is scheduled to box in Saturday's finals.
Two Air Force boxers won by having the referee stop their bouts. In a 119-pound bout, C4C Darren Smith stopped Nevada's Daigo Moki in the third round. Justin Pendry, who was an all-conference football player this past season, stopped Cal's Derrick Zahlar in the first round.
The Falcons' lone defeat Friday came in the 112-lb. weight class when UNLV's Xeneon Mallari stopped C3C Doug Spear in the second round.
"I thought we did real well," said head coach Eddie Weichers, Jr. "We lost at 112-pounds but Doug was in with a very talented UNLV kid. I was just pleased with the performance of our boxers and their preparation coming into this regional."
"UNLV looks real good and the final bouts will be difficult. But I think all of our boxers are very focused right now. And having four boxers get a semifinal-round bye because there are only three boxers in their weight class is an added bonus," said Weichers.
Semifinal Results:
112-lb. Division - Xeneon Mallari, UNLV RSC (second round) C3C Doug Spear
119-lb. Division - C4C Darren Smith RSC (third round) Daigo Moki, Nevada
125-lb. Division - C1C Eamon Murry dec. Jaquin Tucson, Nevada
147-lb. Division - C2C Ulysses Linares dec. Abu Ramin, California
156-lb. Division - C1C Tommie Cisar dec. Julio Romo, San Jose St.
165-lb. Division - C1C Joseph Harding dec. Burn Minjares, UNLV
Hvwt Division - C1C Justin Pendry RSC (first round) Derrick Zahlar, California
Semifinal Byes:
139-lb. Division - C1C Vaughn Brazil
185-lb. Division - C2C Chris Hart
175-lb. Division - C1C Rodney Ellison, Jr.
195-lb. Division - C1C Dustin Brown
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