West Chester Boxers Go 6-2 in Breakout Weekend

Image Credits: West Chester Boxing Club

Less than a year after returning to the ring, West Chester University’s (WCU) boxing club is no longer focused solely on its revival. The Golden Rams are beginning to prove they can win.

West Chester went 6-2 over Feb. 13–14 at events hosted by Penn State University and Lock Haven University, marking their strongest weekend since the program returned after decades of inactivity.

Club president Max Zampirri, who improved to 4-0 in the 147-pound division, said that the weekend reflected the team’s growth more than any individual performance.

“I was really excited just to be there with the guys that I met this year,” Zampirri said. “A lot of them were having their first fight, so I was trying to be there for them. We went 6-2, which I’m super proud of. It’s just cool to see West Chester being represented again and getting wins.”

Three boxers earned decision victories Feb. 13 at Penn State. Zampirri won in the 147-pound division, sophomore Tommy Cunningham improved to 2-0 in the 139-pound division, and sophomore Carter Bagnato claimed his first collegiate win in the 132-pound class.

For Bagnato, who joined the club last year without prior boxing experience, the win was deeply personal. “That was one of the best moments of my life,” he reflected. “The adrenaline, the rush, then finding out I won, I couldn’t have been happier.”

The team continued its momentum the next afternoon, Feb. 14, at Lock Haven, going 3-1. Cunningham earned another win to reach 3-0, while sophomores Machi Holland and Reagan Karr each won their first bouts.

Holland, who began boxing less than a year ago, said stepping into the ring brought pressure unlike anything he had experienced in high school football. Facing a taller opponent, he adjusted mid-fight by focusing on body shots and finished strong to earn a decision victory.

“I was really nervous,” Holland said. “It’s a fight. You know you’re going to get hit, and you have to give it back. But just stepping in the ring is an accomplishment.”

Cunningham’s weekend included two physically demanding fights less than 24 hours apart, describing his first fight as nonstop action from the opening bell. “I don’t think there was five seconds in the fight without a punch,” he said. “That last round felt like the longest two minutes of my life.”

Despite entering Saturday sore and fatigued, Cunningham delivered another strong performance, fueled in part by watching teammates earn their first wins earlier in the day.

“Seeing them go out there and win fired me up,” he said. “It just made me ready to bring it.”

The club’s only losses came from first-time competitors Quinn Pucilowski and Chris Kuhns, but Zampirri noted those matches provided valuable experience for newcomers, helping them feel the intensity of the competition.

Much of the club’s early success stems from its strong sense of unity. Zampirri added that the bonds developed during training and competition have been crucial to the team’s progress.

“Everyone being there for each other was like nothing else I’ve experienced,” he said. “Going through the hard parts of training together makes it easier, and seeing them execute what they’ve worked on in the ring is really cool.”

The weekend highlighted how far the rebuilt program has come. For many of the club’s boxers, this school year marks their first time in the ring. Despite this, WCU boxers continue to find themselves in the win column.

This past weekend, WCU boxing went 3-0 at the University of Maryland with Karr, Holland and Julius Greene each winning their bouts. Karr and Holland improved to 2-0 in their collegiate careers, while Greene secured a win in his ring debut.

In the coming weeks, WCU boxing will travel to the University of Connecticut for the Eastern Regional Tournament.

Sophie Stair is a third year English major with minors in Journalism and Media & Culture. ss1029515@wcupa.edu