In the highly competitive realm of collegiate boxing, students must stay focused on their goals, regimented in their training, and disciplined day in and day out to keep up on the course loads. A shining example of this, the UCLA Club Boxing team had a monumental year in the 2015-2016 season. The program's competitors' tireless efforts brought widespread recognition and great achievements, as multiple members had breakout seasons and made history as a club!
 
The team featured three athletes that qualified for the Collegiate National Tournament, with Rafael Medina and Vlad Panin claiming NCBA Regional titles and superstar Elizabeth Pratt winning the first NCBA National Championship!
 


Gaining multiple tournament victories was no easy task, as members of the club practice nearly seven days a week to make sure they are always in top fighting shape. However, the months of training truly paid off, as the club had remarkable showings in the championships. Team president Rafael Medina added to this, commending Pratt and praising her accomplishments as the highlight of the season.
 
"She's the first female to win it. She worked tremendously hard for it, going in extra hours, splitting time at the gyms and waking up in the morning to fight her way to the top. It's a testament of all our hard work."
 
Like any successful and functional team, the UCLA Boxing Club's members enjoy spending time with each other inside and outside of the gym. Student athletes do not always have multitudes free time, but the athletes often make it a priority watch matches together, grab dinner after practice, or simply hang out with another.
 
Coach Tony Gonzales complimented the club athletes' abilities to work so fluidly together, which is much needed when practice consists of duking it out in a boxing ring:
 
"The camaraderie is awesome. There is no malice. Everyone gets along so well and wants to see the other person succeed. "We're all friends and help each other."



 Like any committed and quality program, the UCLA Boxing Club is always looking to improve upon itself. Never settling down despite victories and athlete success, the club is always looking for ways to boost student involvement and outreach on campus. Gonzales set the ceiling high for the upcoming seasons of the years to follow.
 
"I would love to see the club grow in size and have membership in the high double or triple digits. My goal is to continue to add to the list of UCLA national boxing champions. I want this to be the best college boxing program in the country."
 
With athletes committed to winning and a supportive and organized coaching staff, it is quite likely that the club will keep making headlines for stellar performances in the immediate future. As the club continues its pace of steady improvement each year under Gonzales and Medina's leadership, it is clear that the UCLA Boxing Club will always stand a fighting chance.