GONZALES — Eleven-year-old Izzy Pacheco of Gonzales and the Salad Bowl Boxing Club came home with some hardware last week as she won her fight at 115 pounds during the Ignite the Ring Tournament in Tres Pinos.
Pacheco is in her second year of boxing. Her mother, Erin Askew, explained that it has been difficult to find other girls to fight that are her daughter’s height and weight.
“It’s hard to find girls at Izzy’s weight and she’s a lot taller than most 11-year-olds,” Askew said. “She is trained by her coaches, Andy Mancera and Kayla Acosta, at the Salad Bowl gym here in Gonzales. Izzy is the first fighter out of the club to win a fight, and the first female out of Gonzales to take home a win.”
Coach Mancera was pleased with the outcome of the fight and praised Pacheco for her hard work in training. Pacheco earned two trophies, one for winning her bout and the other for winning the “Fight of the Night.”
“Izzy fought the same opponent in her first USA Boxing match and lost in a split decision,” Mancera said. “This time she was ready and won all three rounds. She is the type of athlete that will do all the extra work to get better that many athletes her age are not willing to do.”
Pacheco will be starting sixth grade at Fairview Middle School in a few weeks, where she will be trying out for the volleyball team and is a member of the Warrior wrestling team. She also raises animals for the local fairs.
“When I am not doing sports, I like to hang out and train my pig and get ready for the fair,” Pacheco said. “I also love doing things with my friend Shaydee and my cousin Shaila.”
Salad Bowl Boxing Club is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5-8:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The club is located at 201 Alta St. in Gonzales.
