The 96th Annual Bengal Bouts tournament is well underway, and the Bengals delivered a Showcase night full of talent and excitement Thursday, Feb. 19. The Showcase night was not part of the competitive rounds competing for a title, but an opportunity for the boxers to demonstrate their skill. There were 12 matches total, each with three 1-minute, 15-second rounds with a 1-minute break in between.
Nicolás “Psilo” Morles v. Josue “Sway” Vicente Ceballos
In the first matchup of the night, senior Nicolás “Psilo” Morles faced freshman Josue “Sway” Vicente Ceballos. Immediately, Morles was fierce on the attack, but Vicente Ceballos landed strong punches that forced Morles to use his height to his advantage to land hits. Morles was heavy on the offensive attack but landed illegal headshots, and in his efforts he left himself open for heavy-handed hits from the shorter but more determined opponent Vicente Ceballos. Despite the rallying effort from Vicente Ceballos, Morles took home the victory by unanimous decision.
Peter “Rainman” Urban v. Peter “Playoff Pete” Shaheen
Across the room in Ring B, freshman Peter “Rainman” Urban and sophomore Peter “Playoff Pete” Shaheen had quite the showing. Shaheen came into the match with his Morrissey Manorites chanting their support before the round began. Shaheen landed a brutal punch to the right shoulder, apparently dislocating his shoulder before having it popped back into place by on-site medical staff. The battle of the Peters continued, with Urban not willing to be bested. The two traded uppercuts to the chin, Urban using his height and reach to eat any distance between the two. Shaheen did not let the height difference stop his continuous efforts, but Urban emerged the winner by unanimous decision.
Nicholas “Polymarket” Poliseno v. Colin “The Physician” Craven
In a 168-pound contest, freshman Nicholas “Polymarket” Poliseno faced senior Colin “The Physician” Craven. The match displayed more hesitancy in the ring, but the two warmed up to each other after the first round. Poliseno went for a final push, a preference for gut punches and hits from the right side to force Craven into a corner. Craven landed quick hits to the head, but despite the age difference, Poliseno had stronger combinations and was given the win by unanimous decision.
Luke “Bulldog” Flanagan v. Jackson “Boom Pow” Powell
The first freshman-on-freshman pairing between Luke “Bulldog” Flanagan and Jackson “Boom Pow” Powell was a back-and-forth contest from start to finish. Powell ducked under punches, but Flanagan was taller and struggled to keep his hands up for defense. Powell was faster on his feet and landed more combinations to eat away at distance, with powerful hits that were more consistent and stylistic. Flanagan utilized his size and strength in his forceful attack, but the judges named Powell the winner in the first split decision of the night.
Kyle “Busta Move” McKee v. Brady “Goph” Glavin
Back in Ring A, the crowd had reached its peak attendance and was hungry for competition as senior Kyle “Busta Move” McKee battled freshman Brady “Goph” Glavin. McKee was taller and had a long reach on his attack, but he was ultimately bested by the powerful strides and quick hands of Glavin. The match was undoubtedly a test of endurance with fast-paced action in all three rounds, but Glavin has the technique that earned him the win by unanimous decision.
Liam “Learjet” Pearl v. Quinn “The Hitman” Doyle
At the halfway mark of the Showcase night, graduate Liam “Learjet” Pearl took on freshman Quinn “The Hitman” Doyle in Ring B. Doyle was fast from the start, his strategy to attack from under ultimately forcing Pearl to block his face and focus only on defense. Doyle’s perseverance and stamina combatted Pearl’s, but Pearl’s creativity and forceful attack wore down the defense of Doyle. The judges awarded Pearl the victory by unanimous decision.
Stephen “Tohbee” Perenich v. Felix “Voodoo Child” Smolen
Sophomore Stephen “Tohbee” Perenich competed against senior Felix “Voodoo Child” Smolen in a 155-pound contest. Perenich had the stronger attack on offense, eventually outpacing Smolen. Perenich lost points with illegal hits to the stomach, yet Smolen kept his head and was determined to see the fight through. This pairing was one of the more intense rounds, Perenich striking with more force and speed. However, his balance waned as the competition went on. Smolen couldn’t overcome the initial strong attack by Perenich, who won by unanimous decision.
Jackson “The Mechanic” Punke v. Ben “Don’t Tell My Mom” Johnson
Freshman Jackson “The Mechanic” Punke took on junior Ben “Don’t Tell My Mom” Johnson in Ring B. Both men came out strong and eager. Punke was unafraid to go for the legs and make Johnson work hard to defend him. The contest was one of the night’s strongest matches, and the competition seemed evenly split. The round turned in Johnson’s favor when he forced Punke into the corner in the last moments of the second round. Despite the friendly match, the competition was thorough. Johnson put Punke in a headlock at the end of the third round, the final attack that gave Johnson the unanimous decision win.
Albert “A&D” Marku v. George “Bro Bro” Clessuras
Graduate Albert “A&D” Marku faced senior George “Bro Bro” Clessuras in one of Ring A’s most exciting rounds. Clessuras was remarkably quick on his feet as he threw everything into his opening attacks in the first round, sending Marku stumbling on the defense. Marku was unsteady, staying up despite the brutal force from Clessuras’ attacks that knocked him slightly off balance. Marku had more technique in his attacks, but Clessuras was strong and fast. Marku was forced to play defense continuously but he landed quick jabs to Clessuras’ side, wearing him out and significantly slowing his attack. Marku got some stamina in the final round and allowed for a final surge in strikes, but Clessuras narrowly clinched his win by split decision.
Juan Jose “Canelito” Aranguren Vergara v. Sal “Lockdown” Leccese
In a 176-pound contest, freshmen Juan Jose “Canelito” Aranguren Vergara and Sal “Lockdown” Leccese competed in their first showcase. The match was off to a slower start as the two waited for the other to strike first. Leccese decided to go on the offensive, but Aranguren Vergara was unwilling to quit early. Aranguren Vergara was steady on his feet and was hard to knock down until the second round, when Leccese landed a jab above the chest. Leccese had broad, more scattered but constant punches compared to the tighter but less frequent punches by Aranguren Vergara. He was knocked down again in round three by Leccese, but continued to get up and put up a fight against scrappy Leccese, who won by unanimous decision.
George “Fireball” Janson v. Brenden “The Flood” Flood
As the competition neared its end, freshmen George “Fireball” Janson and Brenden “The Flood” Flood competed in the final match in Ring A. Flood led with strong but unbalanced punches, the force of his attacks almost knocking him over in the first round. Janson emerged with some strong, multi-faceted combinations. Flood kept attacking but was pummeled by repeated attacks from Janson, who finished strong. Flood managed to back Janson into a corner in the final round, but he fought his way out. After some strong combos from Flood, Janson left himself open. Despite the tired finish, the contest ended in a win for Janson by unanimous decision.
Brian “Toro” Torres v. Douglas “Dougie” Nilsen
After some equipment alterations, the final round of the night began as sophomore Brian “Toro” Torres battled freshman Douglas “Dougie” Nilsen. Much like the round before, the two were hesitant and tried to feel each other out. Nilsen attacked first with a strong hit, but he was forced to block after Torres kept striking his face. Nilsen attacked with powerful punches but was heavy on his feet. In the final round, the heavyweights got tired but kept up the fight. In his finale, Torres tried to put Nilsen in a headlock, but Nilsen knocked him into the corner in the last few seconds. The competition was close and gritty, but Nilsen walked away with the win after a split decision.
The Bengals will continue to enter the ring with homes of competing for the title, but they are keeping the goal of their organization at the forefront of their mind as they earn money for Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh. The charity tournament continues Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. in the Dahnke Ballroom with the semifinal competition.
