Boxer Walter Blake defeated the two-time national collegiate boxing champion at 132 on March 7, when the boxing team faced MIT, Westfield State, CCSU and Lock Haven at Central Conneticut State University.

A week of intense practice paid off as the boxers won three of their four bouts last Sunday at CCSU. After two weeks of disappointing losses, the boxers decided that it was time to get serious. The change was apparent, as the they were in better shape than they’ve been in all season, and found themselves in better shape than most of their opponents.

Blake won his bout with Dave Machamer of Lock Haven when the referee stopped the contest in the second round. With the swing of an authoritative left, Blake dropped the two-time national champ.

“I’ve lost too many bouts that have come to decisions,” Blake said. “I decided that this one had to end before that could happen to me again.”

Ben Ladrido had a decisive win in his 125-pound bout against Brendon Bellew of MIT. It was Bellew’s first collegiate bout and Ladrido carried him through the three rounds, Coach Bill Wrable said. The bout was a good tune-up for regionals, Wrable said.

The boxers have long had troubles when their bouts come to decisions, and that was the case for 180-pounder Bob Schirf. Schirf lost in a close decision to Greg Leland of Westfield State. Schirf started the bout slow, but picked up a lot of momentum late in the second round. He knocked Leland down twice in the third round, but still came up short in the end.

Mike Joyce won his 165-pound bout against Ed Chappa of CCSU, who could not take any more of Joyce’s battery. Joyce said the fact that he was in better shape could well have made the difference that won him the bout.

“He faced a different style of boxer than he was used to, and he dealt with it incredibly,” said Wrable.

This Friday and Saturday Penn State will be hosting the regional championships. Penn State will have nine representatives boxing, one from each weight class. The winners of these will go on to the national boxing championships in Colorado Springs.