Two-time NCBA National Champion in the 156-pound weight class Greg Murrell, left, of UNLV, fights Jared Sobel of the University of San Francisco in the semifinals of the NCBA Western Regional Championships on March 30. Murrell is one of seven fighters who will be representing the Rebels at the NCBA National Chamipionships in Reno this month, and one of two UNLV fighters to capture a regional title. Photos by Marlene Karas/View.
Two-time National Champion Greg Murrell of UNLV fights Jared Sobel of the University of San Francisco. Murrell went on to defeat University of Nevada's Francisco Torrez to win his first regional title.
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Greg Murrell stood in the ring victorious following his decision victory over the University of San Francisco's Jared Sobel on March 30. He was one step closer to accomplishing something he has never done -- winning a NCBA West Regional title.
Murrell, who fights in the 156-pound weight class, has won two NCBA National Championships, but always fell short of winning the regional title.
"I think sometimes my head got a little big before the regionals and I go in kind of lazy," he said. "I didn't go after the guy (last year). So this year I just wanted to make sure I came at (my opponent.)"
Murrell's goal was fulfilled one day later on March 31, when he defeated University of Nevada's Francisco Torrez to win his first regional title.
"My (defense) and my (offense) was sharp," Murrell said after his fight with Torrez. "If I fight the rest of my fights like I fought that one right there, I'll sweep (nationals), no problem."
Murrell is just one of seven slated fighters who will be representing UNLV at the NCBA National Championships in Reno this month, and one of two UNLV fighters who captured a regional title. The other was Charles Blackwell, who won his fight in the 185-pound weight class over the Air Force Academy's Boyce Loomis.
Following a strong performance where UNLV went undefeated in its first three fights of the night, the Rebels got off to a slow start on March 31. The Rebels lost their first three championship fights before Murrell broke through and won.
For UNLV Boxing Club president Jason Crocco, it was an attempt at redemption. One day before, Crocco lost to Nevada's Kenny Dryer-Redner.
Crocco, a national silver medalist last year, was disappointed in his performance.
"I'm a little upset of course, but I fought it out. I just wish I did more," said Crocco, who attempted to cut down to 165 pounds but was unable to and was placed to fight in the 175-pound weight class.
The next day Crocco entered the ring again determined to win and earn a spot at nationals. He defeated Air Force's Evin Negron by decision to finish third in the regional, snap a six-match losing streak and avenge an earlier loss in his career to Negron.
After his fight with Dryer-Redner, Crocco regretted being "too excited" and came into the fight with Negron more relaxed.
"I got to keep having fun. If I'm going in there like, 'I got to murder, I got to kill,' I'm going be tense, and I'm not going to feel good," Crocco said.
UNLV will be defending last year's National Championship title in Reno, but the Rebel boxers know the regional tournament was just a sign of things to come.
"Regionals are really the warm-up for nationals," Murrell said. "Regardless of how you look at regionals, you're going to be crisper come nationals. Our practices are rugged and all go, and we fix all the small things we messed up here. At nationals, we'll look even stronger than now."
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