INGLESIDE, Texas — Multiple Ingleside boxers recently competed at a national tournament in New Mexico, bringing home some hardware.
Three boxers came back from the 2024 USA Boxing National Open with gold medals and two won silver medals. Eight boxers from Ingleside competed in the tournament, which took place March 9-16 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Their trainer explained how they prepared to compete against the best fighters their age.
"We did a really hard four-week training camp where the kids were working out four hours every day, really pushing themselves, strict diets," owner of Elite Boxing and Fitness Jordan Pinney said. "So, a lot of discipline, a lot of hard work."
Pinney grew up boxing and said it saved his life—keeping him out of trouble. He started a nonprofit boxing program, Mustang Boxing Outreach Program, to keep kids ages 8-16 off the streets and in a safe environment.
His daughter, Mia, was one of the gold medalists at the national tournament. He said she dieted on just berries and water for at least two weeks leading up to the competition.
"A child at 13 years old doing that and then to see them get on the stage and it come out with their hand held high, it's a huge blessing and exciting for all of us," Jordan Pinney said.
Mia Pinney started boxing six-and-half years ago and said it is a blessing to have her dad by her side as she trained and won her second career gold medal.
She said she was happy when they lifted her hand and called out her name at the end of the fight, and knows others now look up to her.
"To know that there's other little girls that look up to me and not just girls," Mia Pinney said. "It's just like really exciting for me to know that there is other people out there that look up to me."
13-year-old Juan Valadez went to four national tournaments before New Mexico but did not win. That changed this time when he brought home the gold.
"It felt great, because once you start losing and losing, it motivates you to keep on going," Valadez said.
For 12-year-old Analee Valadez, it was also her second gold medal and she was proud of herself for the hard work she put into getting it.
"It was exciting when they called my name," Valadez said. "I was super happy. I was like, 'This is my second one I won,' and my dad and my mom were going to be proud of me."
These gold medalists join professional boxer Julian Delgado training at the gym, who will make his debut on the top-ranked card on April 13 at the American Bank Center.
Those interested in joining Jordan Pinney's boxing team can reach out to him directly, 361-453-8535, or on the gym's official Facebook page.
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