It was an energy-filled night at the 's Billard Hall as cadets went toe to toe in the ring during the Second Annual Regimental Boxing Open Friday night.
The tournament more commonly known as “the Reg” is a prelude to intercollegiate competition on a regional and national level. Boxers on the team have to fight for the top spot in their weight class in order to have a chance to gain a college national title.
"Tonight is the culmination for the boxer to fight for the number one spot, " said organizer and promoter Chris Soto. “It looks like we have five potential weight classes.”
Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In the action-packed bout, 4th Class Cadet Jamen Descartes defeated Cadet Ryan Cuga in the 156-pound class. Both fighters came out aggressively with their jabs until Descartes unloaded a barrage of punches, including an over-hand-left that forced referee and boxing coach Tom Burrell to stop the fight. Decartes was awarded a technical knockout 42 seconds into the second round.
In another match, Cadet 3rd Class Justin Maio knocked out Jessie Calon of the Whaling City Boxing Club in the second round.
Find out what's happening in New Londonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Maio is one of the standouts on the team. I look for him to go a long way in the regionals," said Burrell who has been coaching boxing for 10 years. "He's one of the pillars of the team."
On the female side, 2nd Class Cadet Ivanna Bertin of New Braunfels, Texas defeated Nicole Johnson of Bronx, N.Y. in a three-round decision. The aggressive Bertin out-dueled the dynamic Johnson in the 140-pound division, which was one of the top fights of the evening.
Johnson has been boxing for two years and in spite of the night’s defeat, kept a positive attitude.
"The best thing I like about boxing is winning,” she said. "Winning makes it worth it."
The winners will compete next at a tournament held at Penn State. Winners of that competition will advance to the national competition which will be held at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.
The New London High School drum line spiced up the night with their tunes while other special guests such as Chris Singletary, a long-time teacher and advisor, and Bill Thompson of the Otto Graham Athletic Legacy Fund.
New London city council member was present and presented Maio with his winning trophy.
The headlining event was one of the most entertaining and fun to occur in the Whaling City but it was the people behind the scenes who made it all possible.
"You have to have a great staff,” said Soto. "This year we had a great group of people helping."
