2nd Chance Boxing Club

What a long week it’s been. Austyn’s bracket at the National Golden Gloves didn’t even start until Thursday, and after a long drive home we’re finally getting settled in enough to make a post and let everyone know how things went.

Austyn was matched up against a two-time National Champion from California with close to 40 bouts compared to Austyn’s 13. I’m pretty sure most everyone in that building including her opponent expected Austyn to be ran over but that was not the case.

Austyn stood her ground when she needed to, boxed smart, used her range well, and showed why being disciplined matters. She cuts around 8 pounds to compete in the 112-pound division, where her height and reach usually give her an advantage, and she used every bit of it in this fight.

She lost a unanimous decision, but she stayed competitive the entire nine minutes and surprised a lot of people there. She didn’t surprise me though. As her coach, I already knew what was in her heart.

She is one of the most disciplined boxers we have when it comes to her diet, running, training, and overall dedication to the sport. This tournament is one of the biggest stages in amateur boxing. The atmosphere, pressure, and nerves can make even great fighters fold, but she handled it all with maturity and composure well beyond her experience.

We may not be bringing home a national title this year, but we proved we belong on that stage.

Proud is an understatement.

The gym will be closed Monday. Back to work Tuesday, then it’s time for a few months off this