Notre Dame Men's Boxing

Notre Dame Men's Boxing The official page for ND Men's Boxing/Bengal Bouts Annual Fundraiser for Holy Cross Missions

Donate online at http://bengalbouts.nd.edu/donate/

Legendary football coach Knute Rockne first organized boxing at Notre Dame in 1920. Yet it is the purpose of raising funds for the Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh that truly gave the Bengal Bouts its identity in 1931. Coach Dominic “Nappy” Napolitano ’32 ’33 solidified this identity of service combined with sportsmanship and safety as Director and Coach of the Bengal Bouts for over 50 years. His

words, “Strong bodies fight, that weak bodies may be nourished” became the motto of the Bouts. In 1955, Sports Illustrated columnist Bud Schulberg remarked the Bengal Bouts under the direction of Nappy “established the ideal atmosphere of sportsmanship, safety and lack of any commercial taint…”

Schulberg noted that if you attend the Bengal Bouts “you’ll see boys battling harder for the University championships than some heavyweights have fought for the championship of the world. You will see contestants beautifully conditioned and boxing under rules of safety precaution that have precluded any serious injury…Here are boys who will fight their hearts out in the five-day tournament for pride and the pure sport of it…”

Commenting on the tradition of safety, Schulburg quoted Nappy: “This is a contest, like any other sport…In a sense, it is the purest contest we have. When it ceases to be that, stop it [the bout]. Don’t let the boy get hurt.”

Schulburg concluded: “Out at Notre Dame this stocky, paternal little fellow Nappy, the genial coach and directory for the bouts; the handball champ, philosophical Father Tom Brennan; the campus Knights of Columbus chapter which sponsors the bouts; and the boys who keep punching from bell to bell can show you what boxing can be like at its honest best.”

The tradition of sportsmanship, safety and competitive spirit in amateur sport lives on in today’s Bengal Bouts.

A few final thank yous were shared at yesterday evening’s banquet as we concluded our 96th Annual Bengal Bouts season. 1...
04/23/2026

A few final thank yous were shared at yesterday evening’s banquet as we concluded our 96th Annual Bengal Bouts season.
1) Juliana Graceffo, Caroline Buhay, Olivia Ruffalo, and Audrey Ulrich, our wonderful managers for the past four years who made each season possible.
2) Phil Police, this year’s Bengal Bouts president, who did a wonderful job leading the club.
3 ) Ijeh Nwaezeapu, three-time Bengal Bouts champion and receiver of the Larry Ash Award
4 ) New leadership for the upcoming 2026-2027 season

Bout 12 Tale of the TapeIjeh Nwaezeapu vs. Ryan DaveyThis Arco Murray sponsored finals bout features two former finalist...
03/27/2026

Bout 12 Tale of the Tape

Ijeh Nwaezeapu vs. Ryan Davey

This Arco Murray sponsored finals bout features two former finalists: Ijeh Nwaezeapu is a two-time champ looking to add a third from a different weight bracket than last year and Ryan Davey is a former finalist wanting to right his finals loss from last year. Tale of the tape would say Ryan has the advantage in height and reach, but Ijeh has faced this before in his finals about last year. Nwaezeapu is a great athlete and can throw from most any angle and rarely finds himself off balance. When you are boxing him, you cannot relax for a moment because he is looking for that moment to strike on a quick trigger. Davey’s success comes from how mobile he is relative to his size. He will be looking to keep Ijeh at a distance by committing to a strong jab and quick movements to counter. Watch out for Ijeh pushing the pace and closing the distance and Ryan trying to remain technical just out of his reach.

Bout 11 Tale of the TapeWill Johnson vs. Steven Vanden NovenThis weight bracket, Sponsored by Snelll & Wilmer, showcases...
03/27/2026

Bout 11 Tale of the Tape

Will Johnson vs. Steven Vanden Noven

This weight bracket, Sponsored by Snelll & Wilmer, showcases two of the tallest boxers in the Bengal Bouts.  The advantage of height that both of these boxers enjoyed in previous rounds are now nullified. Both three-year boxers, this bout will be a great display of long punches. Will, who lost in the Finals last year has familiarity with the 2 minute rounds, but Steven has worked incredibly hard this year to have the stamina needed in the 3rd round. Steven likes set-up his combinations with a body jab and Will likes to stay up top. The boxer that can counterpunch and maintain balance will likely be victorious.

Bout 10 Tale of the TapeMichael Nilsen vs. Thomas RotatoriThe 188 lb weight bracket, Sponsored by Irish Rover, features ...
03/27/2026

Bout 10 Tale of the Tape

Michael Nilsen vs. Thomas Rotatori

The 188 lb weight bracket, Sponsored by Irish Rover, features the only senior v senior matchup of the night.  Nilsen, a four-year boxer and Captain has been a huge part of the success Bengal Bouts over his tenure. Nilsen’s California cool personality will be pressured by the intensity of Rotatori.  Both coming off tough Semifinal matchups, Nilsen will look to keep his length advantage by moving laterally working the jab and Rotatori will need to defend punches as he moves forward. Rotatori will keep the pressure on Nilsen for all three rounds, he doesn’t have any quit. Whoever can impose their style will be wearing the “CHAMP” patch on their jacket.

Bout 9 Tale of the TapeJohn Christoforetti vs. Gil Gagnon Another Finalist following in his Father’s footsteps, John “Ch...
03/27/2026

Bout 9 Tale of the Tape

John Christoforetti vs. Gil Gagnon

Another Finalist following in his Father’s footsteps, John “Christo” is poised to take home a Championship to deepen the family legacy with the Bengal Bouts.  The problem is that Sophomore Gil is in the way.  Gil is always the first in the Gym and last to leave.  He has advanced to Finals by sticking to his long 1 and 2’s.  He has found success being relentless with his jab, never leaving space for his opponent the time to calculate a combination.  Christo must rely on the work he has put in and not overthink setting up his combinations.  This Bout could be a very classic “Bengal Bouts” Bout with both pushing forward with their 1 and 2’s.  The boxer who mixes up timing and counters the jab better will probably find himself with his hand raised.

Bout 8 Tale of the TapeAndrew Molinsky vs. Cole PetersJunior Andrew Molinsky and Grad student Cole Peters are your next ...
03/27/2026

Bout 8 Tale of the Tape

Andrew Molinsky vs. Cole Peters

Junior Andrew Molinsky and Grad student Cole Peters are your next bout of the 96th annual Bengal Bouts. This is Molinsky’s third year in the club, showcasing his progression in the sport. Between winning his showcase bout his freshman year and being just outside the finals last year through a semifinals loss, he wants to capitalize on this opportunity to get his hand raised in Purcell. Molinsky has spent the past month between bouts honing his combinations and agility. Watch him showcase his movement and volume and aims to utilize this to keep his critical distance on a short boxer that wants to move inside. Cole Peters, former Johns Hopkins athlete turned Notre Dame PhD candidate, has a background of intense training and competitive spirit. His style boasts closing the distance as he keeps a strong stance. He finds the most success when his competition takes steps backwards, allowing him to move them where he wants them to, landing his strikes from a strong base. Both will need to dig deep in the third round and you won’t want to miss it.

Bout 7 Tale of the TapeTommy Santarelli vs. Jackson AmorosaThis bout has bout-of-the-night potential. You will see the b...
03/27/2026

Bout 7 Tale of the Tape

Tommy Santarelli vs. Jackson Amorosa

This bout has bout-of-the-night potential. You will see the best jab in the club against the best follow-up in the club as Amorosa looks to keep his undefeated record. Tommy’s strengths in this matchup are his length and obviously his jab. This is the second time he is matched up against a two-time champ in the finals, so he is familiar with the moment and the lights. Having his experience last year and a tough battle during his semifinals bout has prepared him to present his best boxing here in the finals against Amorosa. He will have the most success if he leans on his jab and makes sure it returns high, ready for the counter. Jackson, however, has some of the most tournament experience in the club, having had 8 total bouts entering the ring on Saturday. Much like last year, his strengths are his balance, spatial awareness, and his ability to persevere through a combination. Having faced a volume puncher in the semifinals, Jackson has shown his skills in focusing in on his target and completing his combinations. If Jackson can keep his focus in the face of a strong jab and stick to his plan, he will get his hand raised. The stakes are high in this bout, and you might be paying for the whole seat, but you will certainly only need the edge.

Bout 6 Tale of the TapeZach Egan vs. Oliver JeffersonThis bout features a matchup of opposing styles. Entering this bout...
03/27/2026

Bout 6 Tale of the Tape

Zach Egan vs. Oliver Jefferson

This bout features a matchup of opposing styles. Entering this bout, Zach Egan is looking to avenge a split decision loss in last year’s finals and Oliver Jefferson wants to continue his debut campaign, having some of the most spars in the club. Egan thrives in the scrap, throwing from multiple angles and forcing the opponent to be on the defensive. He will want to bait Oliver by closing distance quickly and taking advantage of any imbalances he may show. Jefferson, on the other hand, achieves his success from keeping his opponents at the end of his reach with relentless straight punches. He wants to strike first against Zach and keep his head out of reach. Look at their feet to see who is most successful; the boxer that is the most balanced and mobile will likely have their hand raised at the end of the bout.

Bout 5 Tale of the TapeCollins Trainor vs. Aidan Sainte Trainor is coming off of a close split decision in the Semifinal...
03/27/2026

Bout 5 Tale of the Tape

Collins Trainor vs. Aidan Sainte

Trainor is coming off of a close split decision in the Semifinals over Michael Giovacco.  His defensive prowess and ability to keep his guard up allows him to walk down his opponent.  Sainte’s ability to move at angles and go to the body, may give him enough points to win.  Trainer, son of one of the 12 Four-Time Bengal Bouts Champions, Mike, has a Championship pedigree, but Aidan’s quickness and athleticism will keep this a close bout.  Trainor will need to punch in bunches to keep up with Aidan’s ability to score.  Both boxers will have the stamina in the third round, so it will come down to how well Trainor can defend and counterpunch.

Bout 4 Tale of the TapeMarco Saldivar vs. Richard Mistichelli IIIThis Bout could be a candidate for the Sh%t Brick House...
03/27/2026

Bout 4 Tale of the Tape

Marco Saldivar vs. Richard Mistichelli III

This Bout could be a candidate for the Sh%t Brick House Award. Marco, a first-year student and Ritchie a four-year boxer making his second consecutive Finals appearance. Although there is a discrepancy in experience in college, Marco’s boxed in grade school closing the experience gap. Both of these boxers have a brawler-swarmer style of boxing, not afraid to take a punch and moving forward to get to their overhand rights. The boxer that commits to defense and stays balanced will likely have his hand raised.

Bout 3 Tale of the TapePhil Pollice vs. Samuel CramerThis Drive and Shine sponsored bout features 2-time finalist, presi...
03/27/2026

Bout 3 Tale of the Tape

Phil Pollice vs. Samuel Cramer

This Drive and Shine sponsored bout features 2-time finalist, president, and champion Phil Pollice is looking to add to his Bengal Bouts accolades Saturday night and grad-student Sam Cramer wanting to play spoiler. The big questions here are if Phil can handle the pressure of expectations and overcome the height and reach advantage that Sam Cramer brings. Sam won his quarterfinals round by split decision over a senior novice by being quicker to throw the initial punch on the exchanges, dictating the pace of the bout. Though Phil has been to this dance before and brings in a level of calmness and familiarity to the 2 minute rounds. He boasts an agile base and stance and looks to land heavy combinations that feature shifting his weight and throwing hooks. But can he close the distance? Find out Saturday!

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