06/08/2026
Let's talk a little bit about The Champ Edwin Domingo Pena .......
A month or so ago he became only the 3rd fighter in NEF history to defend the 145lb title belt. A fantastic accomplishment in itself but there is way more to his story.
Ya see Eddie came to and could barely throw a jab in my opinion. He had the work ethic and the desire, he'd throw a bad jab for hours, but lacked solid technical instruction. He allowed himself to be coached. He trusted the process and that made all the difference.
Now at this point many don't know or won't remember that Eddie LOST his first two fights. One by KO and the other by submission. Most people would have quit. I believe I would have. Edwin didn't and I have all the respect in the world for him because of it. He got back in the gym. He listened to his coach. He made the improvements and went on a 5 fight win streak that resulted in him winning the NEF belt and becoming VisionQuest's FIRST home grown Maine champion!!
After each fight I've sat down with Eddie, watched video and told him three things: 1. What he did right 2. What he did wrong and 3. What we need to be working on nxt.
He's responded like a champion and now will come to ME by the end of the weekend telling me what he did wrong. He's trusted the process.
After this last title defense, on the way back to the locker room, Eddie stopped me in the hallway and gave me his belt. He said that he had decided after agreeing to this fight that if he won he was going to give me the belt. In all my years of coaching 73 champions no fighter has ever done that for me. His belt now hangs in the gym next to my belts. As meaningful as the first title I ever won.
I'm not an easy coach. I have high expectations. Mostly because I care about my fighters and I respect the game. Eddie's dream has been to be a professional fighter and his next fight will be as a pro. He's earned it. Not just from winning but from hard work, coachability, and trusting the process. 💚🪓💚🪓💚🪓