Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003 | 9:47 a.m.
When UNLV hosts the national collegiate boxing championships April 3-5 at the Cox Pavilion, Xenon Mallari has every reason to believe he'll be there -- as a participant.
Mallari, a 20-year-old junior, is a reigning two-time national champion who doesn't fit within the typical boxer's mold. He's not only a polished student, he holds a realtor's license and has aspirations of becoming a developer.
Add in that he's a finance major, that he comes from a kick-boxing background and that he has his eye on making the 2004 U.S. Olympic boxing team, and Mallari comes across as well-rounded, driven and focused.
"If we were the same age, he's a guy I'd want to hang around with," said UNLV coach Skip Kelp of his prized pupil, who was named the outstanding competitor at last year's collegiate championships.
Mallari, 112 pounds, was putting the finishing touches on his first real-estate deal as a representative of the Prudential group when he stopped in the Sahara Saloon this week to confer with Kelp and the board members who are coordinating the upcoming championships.
"I make a plan, I get up early and I follow it," Mallari said of coordinating his own busy days. "Real estate is something I can do while in college, but getting into development as a home builder is what I really want to do."
As is the case, by rule, for all collegiate boxers, Mallari had virtually no experience in the sport prior to making his way to the UNLV training "bunker" and meeting Kelp.
"I'd kick boxed for a year and a half, but I hadn't fought at all," Mallari said. "But it's something I wanted to do. I saw the UNLV guys and admired them because they went to school, they worked and they went to the gym, and it seemed as if it would be fun to do it myself."
His martial arts background was helpful, yet he admits he still has a ways to go when it comes to mastering the art of collegiate and Olympic style boxing.
"It's different and more strenuous (than kick boxing)," he said. "I had a good foundation because I had the fundamentals down, and I see myself growing every day while still having a lot to learn.
"But my confidence has grown through the experiences I've had, and that's an important thing to a fighter."
When the time comes to try out for the Olympic team, Mallari will have to go through state, regional and national qualifying.
"We'll take a run at crossing over to Olympic style (boxing)," Kelp said. "That's our ultimate goal."
Or it may just be an interim goal, as Mallari said he would consider professional boxing if everything went well.
"I spar with a lot of guys on (the Olympic) level," he said. "I don't want to go into the Olympic qualifying process just wishing I can make the team, (but) I do have the confidence to know it can be done.
"Beyond that, I'd strongly consider the pros if I have a lot of success at the Olympic level."
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