Air Force Academy

Oct. 27, 2006

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Seniors Ezekiel Ignaco and Ian Tuznik picked up victories for the Air Force boxing team at the annual Service Academy Showcase on Friday, Oct. 27, in Detroit, Mich. Ignaco, who was named the Academy's Boxer of the Week, won his 128-pound contest with Army's Justin Wong when the referee stopped their contest in the third round, while Tuznik picked up a heavyweight decision from Army's Greg Maduro.

The Falcons earned their victories during the opening and closing bouts, representing the lightest and heaviest weight classes present. Ignaco opened the event with his 128-pound victory over Wong. Using sharp, hard punches and good movement, Ignaco was able to counter his opponent in the ring, en route to the early-round stoppage. In the final bout of the evening, Tuznik downed Maduro in a heavyweight decision.

In all, Navy won the Service Academy Showcase, taking all five bouts (2-0 over Air Force, 3-0 over Army). Air Force finished with a 2-3 record (2-1 over Army, 0-2 to Navy), while Army rounded out the trio with a 1-4 slate (1-2 to Air Force, 0-2 to Navy).

It was a busy day for the Falcons, who didn't leave Colorado until 11 a.m., on the day of competition due to the blizzard that tore through the state on Thursday.  Although it didn't arrive at the Detroit Athletic Club at 7:30 p.m., Air Force was in the ring and ready to compete at 9 p.m.

Air Force will send 12 members of its team to West Point, N.Y., on Friday, Nov. 3, for the annual showdown between Air Force and Army. The bouts are slated to begin at 2 p.m. (EST) at the West Point Gymnasium.

RESULTS FROM SERVICE ACADEMY SHOWCASE

128-lbs.: Ezekiel Ignaco (Air Force) rsc-3 Justin Wong (Army)

139-lbs.: Antone Aku (Navy) dec. Russell Calloway (Army)

152-lbs.: BJ Richardson (Navy) dec. Ryan Price (Air Force)

165-lbs.: Victory Colon (Navy) dec. Dan Khan (Army)

175-lbs.: Matt Cox (Navy) dec. Evin Negron (Air Force)

185-lbs.: Steve Soloja (Army) dec. Colin LaFavor (Air Force)

185-lbs.: Alex Rios (Navy) dec. Cory Kastle (Army)

Hywt.: Ian Tuznik (Air Force) dec. Greg Maduro (Army)