Boxers Praise Benefits of Sport

Santa Clara students suit up for next round of boutsIvan MunozTHE SANTA CLARAFebruary 20, 2014[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hether or not they are training inside a gym, practicing at an off-campus facility or conditioning outdoors, members of the Santa Clara club boxing team are constantly preparing for their next round in the ring.The club takes in students with little to no prior involvement in the sport and transforms them into skilled and technical fighters.“My experience with the club so far in general has been great,” said Alexander Preciado, one of the team captains. “Boxing is a tough sport and it requires a lot of dedication. If you give it the time and effort it requires, you can learn a lot about yourself and discipline through training.”The squad competes in the National Collegiate Boxing Association where, according to team captain Daniel Lee, “(Santa Clara) boxers have the opportunity to box some of the best at all of the military academies and other big name schools.”In order to prepare for these bouts, participants in the club train under the tutelage of coaches Pierre Moynier and Joe Fierce.“As coaches, we hope to teach life lessons of how to become self-driven to compete at the highest level,” said Moynier. “This includes sacrifices and learning how to manage at school (and) work scheduled along with conditioning runs in addition to daily practice. We hope through boxing they grow their confidence and learn leadership skills as they prepare for their bouts.”If the team isn’t conditioning on campus, members of the squad refine their skills at a boxing gym in Sunnyvale, Calif., which is owned by Fierce.For many members of the team, boxing at Santa Clara is the first time they have had a chance to put on a pair of gloves and develop their basic fighting techniques.Lee stated that he had no previous training in the sport before becoming a member of the team, but that with dedication and commitment, the capacity to grow as a boxer is substantial.“It really doesn’t matter whether or not you have had prior boxing experience,” said Lee. “It depends on how hard you train and your physical shape.”Considerable time and effort are needed for students to improve their physical fitness as well as sharpen their technique.Junior James Freitas had to take this year off from the club due to a busy schedule, but praised the program nonetheless for how it helped him personally.“Overall the club was great,” he said. “It was a big time commitment,  but it was really rewarding. I’d like to go back if I have the time next year. Boxing put me in the best shape of my life.”The amount of focus and work students put inside of the ring or at the training ground helps them develop other key aspects of their life.“I’ve been a member of the club for about two years now, and I still love it,” said Preciado. “Training for matches doesn’t just make me a better fighter, but the discipline also carries over into my school and work habits.”Preciado’s teammate, Lee, has some words of advice for those seeking to suit up and take the ring.“For those wanting to join the club, I’d tell you to start running sprints and long distances immediately,” he said. “Cardiovascular training is extremely important in boxing and is vital if you want to do well.”Moynier also invites anyone interested in the sport to give it a shot if they have a desire to work hard and learn about the sport at the same time.The next home match will be on March 1 in Sunnyvale, Calif. at 2 p.m. Contact Ivan Munoz at imunoz@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.