The U.S. Military Academy hosted the 70th annual Brigade Boxing Open Finals on Feb. 20 before an enthusiastic crowd at Crest Hall.
There were 10 bouts, including seven men’s and three women’s fights. Overall, there were 18 BBO titles awarded with the other title fights occurring on Feb. 19.
Throughout the two days, there were eight new BBO champions crowned and 10 champions who have now won multiple BBO titles. The champions will move on to compete in the upcoming National Collegiate Boxing Association regionals from March 12-14 at the Bristol Sports Armory in Bristol, Connecticut.
The Friday night title bouts began with the 132-pound men’s fight between sophomores Brandon Freeman and Angel Acevedo. Freeman used his long reach to stick his power jabs and to help keep his stamina up against his opponent. He earned his first BBO title, which gave him a moment of clarity in the work put into achieving it.
“After a year of defeats, getting my hand raised in that ring was the moment I realized that all of my work and effort had finally paid off,” Freeman said.
Sophomore Kennedy Rogers and freshman Jally Yang kicked off the women’s title fights at 132 pounds.
Rogers used her overhand and cross punches to neutralize Yang while trying to “work the inside” to bring her opponent closer while relying on her conditioning.
In the third round, Rogers felt she was gaining the advantage as she found her rhythm and could tell her opponent was exhausted. It was Rogers’ first BBO title.
“It was a really awesome and surreal moment,” Rogers explained. “I am excited to get more experience in the ring, win or lose, and continue to train and fight with the best of the best.”
At the men’s 139-pound weight class, senior Tejas Chadha faced sophomore Jaden White. Chadha believed his jab and range control were solid while relying on his left hook. In the third round, he employed more pressure on White, throwing more punches to the mid-section to take the win.
“I wasn’t super happy with how I fought, but I am grateful to have won a second BBO title and to go represent my team at regionals and nationals,” Chadha, who earned a silver medal at nationals in 2024, stated.
Chadha gave kudos to his opponent White, who defeated two sophomores to get to the finals, as he “brought it all to the ring tonight.”
Junior Austyn Kump fought freshman Lula Barber at the women’s 147-pound weight class, and Kump earned the victory by using her strength of body shots on her opponent that helped set the pace of the fight.
“Achieving my first Brigade Boxing Open championship was exhilarating,” Kump said. “It is an opportunity to continue forward … not only to fight for a belt for myself, but also a trophy for the team at nationals.”
The fifth bout of the evening took place between All-American Santos Riccardi and freshman Sebastian-Seann Riley for the men’s 147-pound title. Riccardi won and earned his second BBO title in his boxing career.
After the brief 10-minute intermission, senior and team captain Elijah Gates faced a staunch challenge in sophomore Nick Jones.
Gates focused on controlling distance and staying composed while sticking to his fundamentals.
“My jab and pace helped me dictate the rhythm, and I was able to make adjustments as the fight developed,” Gates elaborated. “I felt confident that I was executing the game plan and putting myself in a strong position to win.”
It was the senior’s first BBO title, and it was a remarkable feeling to take the victory.
“It reflects months of preparation, discipline and a trust in the process,” Gates said. “It is not just about one night – it represents early mornings, hard rounds in the gym, and the support of teammates and coaches. Earning this title is something I am proud of, but more than anything it reinforces that consistent work pays off.”
Two plebes faced each other in the women’s 119-pound bout as freshmen Fallon Barretto and Kaylin Jacob went at it for the title.
Both boxers laid stiff punches on each other with some of Barretto’s strikes creating an audible ‘wow’ from the crowd. In the end, Barretto walked out of the ring with her first BBO title and ready to continue onward.
“More than anything … I am excited to get back in the gym and chase that winning feeling again,” Barretto stated about the upcoming regionals.
At the men’s 175-pound weight class, sophomore Antonio Leandres faced junior Hunter Boyer for the championship. Leandres said in the first round, he was baited into giving up his range and paid for it.
“Luckily, my teammate Avaneesh Benki was in my corner, and he told me what adjustments I needed to make in the second and third rounds,” Leandres stated. “This match was a great example of teamwork being crucial even in an individual sport.”
With the win, Leandres earned his second BBO title and a chance to continue his success at regionals.
Sophomore Kevin Jud would earn his second BBO title in as many years with his win over junior Chris Newton at the 185-pound men’s weight class.
Jud felt everything clicked in the ring to come out on top even though his opponent was taller and had a longer reach.
“I had to focus on inside fighting and good movement to cut him off in the ring,” Jud explained. “I was able to get low and target the body to create openings for myself. I landed a hard 2 (cross) to the body in the second round that I knew hurt him and it helped me win.”
The last bout of the evening was the men’s heavyweight clash between sophomores Jayden Zakala and Jon Mathis.
Mathis, an All-American, would earn his second straight BBO title by throwing with good power, although he thought he brawled too much.
“It can be hard to stay composed in the ring,” Mathis said. “I always try and think of my jab as what connects me to being a good technical boxer. Overall, the BBO is a reminder of the work I need to put in and what I need to do to be a better boxer.”
Throughout the evening, eight other boxers were recognized for winning their bouts the previous night. The following 2026 BBO champions who were honored included women’s team captain, senior and four-time BBO champion and national champion Daisy Terrones at 106 pounds; junior Ella St. Louis at the women’s 125-pound class; senior four-time BBO and two-time national champion Emma Ebiuwhe at the women’s 165-pound class; freshman Trinity Acuna at the women’s 112-pound class; sophomore All-American and two-time BBO champion Aaron Fuentes at men’s 125 pounds; senior All-American and two-time BBO champion Kenyatta Brannon at men’s 195 pounds; freshman Naeem Miller at men’s 119 pounds; and junior three-time BBO champion and two-time All-American Haley Shaw at women’s 139 pounds.