On Monday night, Dahnke Ballroom at the University of Notre Dame’s Duncan Student Center hosted the semifinal round of the 95th annual Bengal Bouts. Here’s how each of the fights in Ring B played out.
172 LB: Henry “Goldilocks” Phillips def. Jack “Reacher” Helzner
Phillips was the dominant fighter early, feeding Helzner a steady diet of rear uppercuts with the right hand. However, his energy level waned late in the second round, and Helzner capitalized to start the third. The first-year Los Angeles native nailed Phillips with a series of powerful right jabs, but the latter’s impeccable start held him up as the winner by unanimous decision.
149 LB: Will “Socal” Brady def. Patrick “The Farmer” Fitzgerald
Brady had his way from the opening bell, using a well-timed and forceful delivery to overwhelm Fitzgerald. The two seniors evened out the fight as it progressed, with Brady recognizing his need to make up points. Nevertheless, Brady’s wild right hooks and crosses were too effective, leading him to a victory by unanimous decision.
158 LB: Brooks “BMC” McConnell def. Ben “Thimbus” Werner
Both boxers, McConnell in particular, were patient to start, and the fight took on the rare characteristic of taking on more action with time. The younger Werner struggled to land much, while McConnell hit on a couple key combinations of right hooks and left uppercuts. He’d go on to claim victory by unanimous decision.
172 LB: Apollo “Creed” Leathers def. Jack “Addy” Regan
In a bout between a first-year and the men’s boxing club president, the far more experienced Leathers got the job done. The Nebraskan senior came out of the gate fast, pummeling Regan with a series of big-time crosses early in the second round. Though Regan settled in down the stretch, Leathers held on to win by split decision.
195 LB: Ijeh “Golden Child” Nwaezeapu def. Isaach “Chris P.” Culp
Nwaezeapu, a junior captain and often an overwhelmingly quick swinger, let it all out on Culp in the opening 30 seconds. He then backed off before unleashing another barrage of uppercuts and japs to end round one. Nwaezeapu didn’t have to do much in the final two rounds, but he uncorked another relentless sequence in the bout’s final seconds anyway, firing up his deep pool of supporters and sealing a win by unanimous decision.
194 LB: Max “Soyster” Soyster Heinz def. Will “Sleepy Time” Robbins
With another large supporter section positioned behind the gold corner, Soyster Heinz controlled the fight, landing a couple of heavy hooks and crosses in the second round. He kept after his gassed opponent in round three, putting him away with ease and taking the victory by unanimous decision.
167 LB: Jackson “Amo” Amorosa def. Luke “The Longhorn” Williams
In an incredibly intense first round, both fighters had their moments. However, Williams made a big statement, popping Amorosa with a series of crosses late in the round to draw a count. He’d earn the same outcome in the second round, putting the fight firmly in his favor. Another corner lost its padding early in the final round, but Amorosa didn’t lose his edge, winning by unanimous decision.
139.5 LB: Edward “Pi Hard” Couri def. Eddie “The Broad Street Bullet” Donovan
This feisty and physical bout between shorter fighters went the way of Couri, who absorbed a solid start from Donovan and wore him down in the later rounds. Making a few critical connections in tight quarters, he claimed the victory by unanimous decision.
175 LB: Tommy “T-Rex” Santarelli def. Ryan “The Prophet” Moses
Matched up against a senior, Santarelli more than held his own as a first-year fighter, taking the upper hand on Moses with a powerful left jab. Though Moses would keep the contest fairly competitive throughout, Santarelli came away with the victory by unanimous decision.
184 LB: Michael “Deagle” Nilsen def. Samuel “Sam I Am” Hatch
After an even start, Nilsen took control in the second round, pummeling Hatch with a combination of left straight and right hooks. Hatch got right back in it though, leaning Nilsen back on the ropes late in round two and carrying his momentum over into the early part of round three. Nevertheless, with his supporters waving a flag picturing him in a tank top, Nilsen put forth a dominant final round and won by unanimous decision.
167 LB: Kyle “The Sheriff” Mackey def. Caz “Manian Devil” Kotsen
Kotsen got after his opponent early on, taking a handful of wild uppercut swings but connecting only sparingly. As a result, Mackey settled in and took over the later rounds, wearing down his opponent. Mackey went on to win the bout by split decision.
Heavyweight: “Suga” Sean O’Gara def. Brandon “Bear” Byrne
In this battle of big-bodied Phoenix natives, O’Gara went to work early, attacking Byrne with crosses and hooks. Byrne never had a great chance to respond, as O’Gara kept his stamina and success rate high throughout the bout. He’d go on to win by unanimous decision.
