UNLV to host nation’s best

Dean Juipe

Thursday, April 3, 2003 | 9:59 a.m.

A mere four years into its existence, the UNLV club boxing team will host the National Collegiate Boxing Championships tonight through Saturday at the Cox Pavilion.

A total of 96 fighters -- eight in each of 12 weight classes -- will take part in the annual event. The host Rebels have eight fighters who have qualified, including defending 112-pound national champion Xenon Mallari.

Funding for the tournament was obtained through donations to the UNLV team.

"We had a fundraiser last year and made a little money," said UNLV head coach Skip Kelp. "And rather than just keep the money for ourselves, we decided to do something positive with it.

"This will not only promote collegiate boxing, but maybe increase our own visibility in the community."

The fights, scheduled for 6 tonight and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, will take place in two 24-foot rings. The participants wear 10-ounce headgear and 12-ounce thumbless gloves and fight three two-minute rounds. Five judges score each bout on a 20-point-must system.

Air Force, Navy, Army, Penn State and UNLV are the favorites for the team championship.

Seven of the eight Rebels gathered Wednesday for a team photo outside the Cox Pavilion and each was optimistic of performing well and perhaps earning a medal.

A brief look at the Rebels: