Monday, November 25
New York, N.Y.
5:00 p.m. MT
Air Force Academy
at
Arthur Mercante Invitational
Photo by: Bill Evans
Falcons Finish 2-1 at Arthur Mercante Invitational
11/25/2019 9:06:00 PM | Boxing
Devon Smith earned the team's Boxer of the Week award after his 155-pound win.
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Posting a 2-1 record against members of the National Collegiate Boxing Association, the Air Force boxing team closed out the fall semester this evening (Nov. 25) at the Arthur Mercante Invitational in New York City.
Seniors Devon Smith and RJ Leon picked up victories for Air Force at the NYAC City House on Monday night. Smith, who was selected as the Falcons' Boxer of the Week award, earned a 155-pound decision over UConn's Mustafa Mumtaz, while Leon opened the night for Air Force with a 125-pound win over California's Jason Lan. Classmate Levi Rate also represented the Falcons in the meet, dropping a 170-pound bout to Nevada's Nate Strother.
The Falcons shared matching 2-1 records in the men's competition with their service academy counterparts from Navy and Army West Point – the best winning percentage of teams with more than one competitor. The annual competition included boxers from across the country including Cincinnati (1-0), UConn (1-1), Nevada (1-1) and California (0-2).
Air Force is off from competition until Jan. 17, when it kicks off the winter semester with another round of Friday Night Fights. Action is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. (MT) in the Cadet Gym Boxing Room.
RESULTS
125-lbs.: RJ Leon (Air Force) dec. Jason Lan (California)
155-lbs.: Devon Smith (Air Force) dec. Mustafa Mumtaz (UConn)
170-lbs.: Nate Strother (Nevada) dec. Levi Rate (Air Force)
Seniors Devon Smith and RJ Leon picked up victories for Air Force at the NYAC City House on Monday night. Smith, who was selected as the Falcons' Boxer of the Week award, earned a 155-pound decision over UConn's Mustafa Mumtaz, while Leon opened the night for Air Force with a 125-pound win over California's Jason Lan. Classmate Levi Rate also represented the Falcons in the meet, dropping a 170-pound bout to Nevada's Nate Strother.
The Falcons shared matching 2-1 records in the men's competition with their service academy counterparts from Navy and Army West Point – the best winning percentage of teams with more than one competitor. The annual competition included boxers from across the country including Cincinnati (1-0), UConn (1-1), Nevada (1-1) and California (0-2).
Air Force is off from competition until Jan. 17, when it kicks off the winter semester with another round of Friday Night Fights. Action is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. (MT) in the Cadet Gym Boxing Room.
RESULTS
125-lbs.: RJ Leon (Air Force) dec. Jason Lan (California)
155-lbs.: Devon Smith (Air Force) dec. Mustafa Mumtaz (UConn)
170-lbs.: Nate Strother (Nevada) dec. Levi Rate (Air Force)
Players Mentioned
Dr. Mark Clifford Interview - March 17th, 2026
Tuesday, March 17
Air Force Wing Open Boxing Broadcast February 27, 2026
Monday, March 02
Dr. Mark Clifford Interview - February 24th, 2026
Tuesday, February 24
Mark Clifford Interview February 10, 2026
Tuesday, February 10
