History Made at USC: The First WBC Collegiate Amateur Champion Crowned

This past weekend, history was made at the University of Southern California.

After years of a ban on boxing, USC hosted its first Collegiate Amateur Boxing show, marking the return of the sport to campus and the beginning of a new era for student-athletes. What unfolded was not merely a collegiate showcase, but a defining moment for amateur boxing, scholar-athletes, and the broader Los Angeles boxing community.

The World Boxing Council was deeply honored to be part of this historic event.

The First-Ever WBC Collegiate Amateur Champion

Through the vision and support of the WBC, history was made with the awarding of the first-ever WBC Collegiate Amateur Championship belt.

To see the iconic green and gold presented inside a collegiate ring, on USC’s campus, at its first USA Boxing-sanctioned event, symbolized a powerful bridge between amateur development and the global legacy of championship boxing. It elevated the aspirations of every young fighter in attendance and affirmed that excellence in the classroom and the ring can stand side by side.

That inaugural belt was awarded to Gabriel Ponce.

A USC freshman majoring in Aeronautical Engineering and a straight-A student, Gabriel embodies the very essence of what collegiate boxing represents: intellectual rigor, athletic discipline, humility, and service.

As a proud Latino who comes from humble beginnings, he stands as a powerful role model for the community, proof that opportunity, preparation, and perseverance can converge to create something extraordinary. He represents the true “scholar-boxer” ideal: excellence in mind, body, and character.

It was truly an honor to actualize the goal of crowning the first WBC Collegiate Boxing Champion, and even more meaningful that this historic milestone was made possible through the leadership and dedication of two Latinas in boxing, helping open new doors for representation and opportunity within the sport.

Celebrating Collegiality in Boxing

At the collegiate level, boxing is grounded in collegiality, sportsmanlike respect, discipline, and mutual support among opponents, teammates, coaches, officials, and the wider university community.

Even as a combat sport, collegiate boxing promotes academic commitment, dignity, and service. These values were fully displayed throughout the event.

Programs like the USC Trojan Boxing Club, in partnership with the Pico-Union Boxing Club, are truly changing lives and creating pathways to higher education for young athletes across Los Angeles.

This is why we proudly say: “Future Collegiate.”

Los Angeles Collegiate Boxing Scholarship Recipients

We proudly recognize the outstanding scholarship winners who represent the future of collegiate boxing:

• Marlen Rodriguez
• Noah Rosales
• Francisco Maldonado Velasquez

These student-athletes exemplify discipline, dignity, and dedicated service to their communities as they pursue higher education and continue their boxing journeys.

Recognizing Our Supporters and Community Leaders

The Los Angeles Collegiate Boxing Scholarship was made possible by the generosity and vision of:

• Acrisure
• Supreme Boxing
• Nancy Rodriguez
• Louis Rodriguez

We also proudly recognize the Pico-Union Boxing Club for its impactful gang intervention efforts and unwavering dedication to building pathways to collegiate boxing while championing mental health awareness and community service.

Special recognition to:

• Coach Daysi Garcia
• Rudy Encarnacion
• Coach Ruben Jr. Garcia
• The Graff Lab
• Pico-Union Housing Corp.

This event was more than a boxing show — it was a statement.

Boxing belongs in our universities. It builds leaders. It creates opportunity. It bridges education and sport.

With the WBC proudly standing alongside these efforts, the future of collegiate boxing has never looked stronger.