Best of luck to the 17 local boxers and their teams as they compete in the 2017 USA Boxing Elite and Youth National Championships & Junior and Prep Open in Salt Lake City, UT next week!

Junior Female
119 lbs. Mireya Marquez_Milwaukee, WI

Elite Male
152 lbs. Azeez Muhammad_Chicago, IL
165 lbs. Javier Martinez_Milwaukee, WI

Youth Male
108 lbs. Angel Martinez_Rockford, IL
132 lbs. Felix Gonzalez_Chicago, IL
141 lbs. Roberto Rosales_Milwaukee, WI
152 lbs. Daniel Blancas_Milwaukee, WI

Junior Male
101 lbs Carlos Reyes_Milwaukee, WI
114 lbs. Ricardo Gonzalez_Racine, WI
114 lbs. Jason Komanekin_Keshena, WI
114 lbs. Mario Martinez_Milwaukee, WI
125 lbs. Irving Alanis_Milwaukee, WI
132 lbs. Breeon Carothers Jr._Racine, WI

Intermediate Male
75 lbs. Kevin Ayala_Huntley, IL
125 lbs. Joseph Miranda_Delavan, WI

Bantam Male
70 lbs. Owen Miranda_Delavan, WI
90 lbs. Joseph Awinongya_Chicago, IL

#USABNC17

On November 17, 2017 the new USA Boxing Rankings were released, below is a list of the 35 local boxers that are currently ranked nationally, Congratulations!! #hardwork #dedication

Elite Women

119 lbs.
10th_Michelle Morales, IL
125 lbs.
12th_Olivia Hendrickson, WI
141 lbs.
12th_Dominique Barrios, WI

Elite Men

152 lbs.
6th_Azeez Muhammad, IL
165 lbs.
3rd_Javier Martinez, WI
10th_Osvaldo Vera, IL (Pro)

Youth Men

108 lbs.
1st_Angel Martinez, IL
123 lbs.
8th_Ezequiel Huaracha, IL
141 lbs.
2nd_Rolando Vargas, WI
201+ lbs.
5th_Luis Alvarado, WI

Junior Women

114 lbs.
1st_Mireya Marquez, WI
145 lbs.
1st_Summer Lynn, IL

Junior Men

101 lbs.
11th_Mario Martinez, WI
114 lbs.
10th_Jason Komanekin, WI
12th_Omar Perez, IL
125 lbs.
8th_Breeon Carothers Jr., WI
132 lbs.
3rd_Felix Gonzalez, IL

16th_Breeon Carothers Jr., WI

138 lbs.
9th_Jasper West, IL

12th_Deon Johnson, IL
17th_Jorge Perez, IL
145 lbs.
2nd_Daniel Blancas, WI
154 lbs.
4th_Daniel Blancas, WI
165 lbs.
5th_Leone Peters, WI

9th_Nikolas Casimiro, IL
176 lbs.
3rd_Oscar Ochoa, IL

Bantam Male

75 lbs.
12th_Kevin Ayala, IL
95 lbs.
5th_Alfredo Gonzalez, WI
101 lbs.
6th_Alfredo Gonzalez, WI
114 lbs.
1st_Joseph Miranda, WI
125 lbs.
1st_Joseph Miranda, WI

Intermediate Male

80 lbs.
3rd_Zachery Carter, IL
106 lbs.
6th_Ricardo Gonzalez, WI

138 lbs.
5th_Salvador Escobedo, IL

Pee Wee 9-10 Male

65 lbs.
6th_Xavvier Diaz, IL
70 lbs.
4th_Owen Miranda, WI
80 lbs.
1st_Aldo Blancas, WI
85 lbs.
1st_Joseph Awinongya, IL

Pee Wee 8 Male

           65 lbs.
           6th_Yahel Flores, IL

 #USABNC17

Danny Vaz da Costa first got into boxing as a way to learn self defense and stay in shape. At age 14, 8 years ago, Danny began training at Flo MMA where he has trained ever since. After 4 years of training, Danny decided he would begin to compete.

Since competing, he's won the 2014 novice division in the Chicago Golden Gloves, 2015 Chicago Power Gloves, was a runner up in the 2017 Golden Gloves, and 2017 SoCal State Championship. Of these victories, the 2015 power gloves is one he is most proud of. "the guy I fought was really good and had over 100 fights."

Looking to the future, Danny Vaz Da Costa only has one thing in his mind. The Olympics. "I'm not even thinking about the pros," Danny makes clear his goals are to be in the 2020 Olympics.
"Boxing is not about talent, what you put in is what you get out." If there's any truth to Vaz Da Costa's theory, he would be a living testament to it. One could argue though, he's pretty talented.

Like many amateur boxers, Maureeca Lambert-Stefanski also competed in a different sport prior to boxing. "I was a runner from 5th grade through college" she explained but due to several injuries and the growing frustrations that come from being on the sidelines her husband, then boyfriend, suggested a change could be helpful. "He thought I would enjoy something new and he was right!" Her husband eventually purchased a Groupon in 2012 to a boxing gym located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago to test it out and right away she knew she wanted to compete. Her first fight ended up being only 4 months after stepping into the gym.

"I know I am directly responsible for the success I have." she states, this statement encapsulates the work ethic and dedication that Maureeca has developed over the years of competing at a high level. That mindset along with her athletic ability to continue to push herself to higher levels have earned her 3 Chicago Golden Gloves Titles, 2 National Golden Gloves Titles and her victory at the USA Boxing Nationals in 2015! Her National Championship win secured her a spot on Team USA that same year where she was able to compete and win internationally against China!

Nowadays you can find Maureeca perfecting her technique at the respected 'Oakley Fight Club' gym in Chicago when she is not caring for her twin 16 month old daughters. The satisfaction of noticing improvements from fight to fight and her competitive nature to continue improving is what has fueled her drive to keep coming back. "Even if someone wins a fight by KO, there is something during that fight before that point that they could have done better." she explains, "That is what makes this sport so special."
Looking forward, Maureeca is looking to close out her excellent amature career with a successful showcasing in the WBC tournament in Chicago before focusing on her transition into the professional ranks in early 2018. Best of luck in your journey Maureeca!

Michele Campobasso started boxing 2 years ago when he moved to the US from Italy. Being in a new country with no friends he started to consider what he could join to help him transition to his new home. "I always liked boxing from when I was a little kid and I always wanted to try but never got into it" he explained "when I got here I said now is the time." Michele found a family-owned gym in St. Charles, IL called 'Tri-City Boxing and Muay Thai' were he met his current trainer Pat White. "He taught me everything, great guy and he helps me alot!" he states.

Now at just 16, Michele has completely immersed himself into boxing having already competed in 17 amateur bouts. He competed and won his division earlier this year at the Illinois Junior Olympics as a novice but he was looking for the challenge against better more experienced open boxers. "Sometimes you fight someone that you've never faced before but I don't worry because all the hardwork pays off!" he exclaimed.

Moving forward Michele wants to gain as much as experience as he can as an amateur, he looks forward to competing in national tournaments before he focuses in his professional goals. Best of luck in your journey Michele!