Congratulations to the Brick House Boxing team, fresh off a demanding week-long international/national tournament in Oxnard, California. From first bell to final decision, these young athletes showed grit, composure and the kind of resilience that builds champions—on paper and in character.
A week of firsts and fight-long lessons, Monday set the tone with nine-year-old Adrian Sanchez, stepping into just his second tournament. He dropped a razor-close bout but never stopped pressing—proof that courage in the ring starts early at Brick House.
Wednesday brought the broader team slate. In the morning session, Santino Holguin and Luciano Sanchez—both 12 years old—boxed in the semifinals. Each fought hard and fell just short, validating months of work and signaling how far they’ve come. Their composure, shot selection and ring IQ continue to rise; the future looks bright for both. That evening, Jorge Sanchez of Union City and Michael Bazan of Castro Valley took the stage and continued to perform as the week wore on. The pair gained valuable international experience, testing themselves against top talent beyond U.S. borders.
Jorge Sanchez defeated strong competition en route to an action-packed final against Southern California standout Angel Balderas. The decision didn’t go our way, but the bout delivered a masterclass in pace and pressure—fuel for targeted adjustments in the gym. Michael Bazan, last year’s tournament champion, battled for a back-to-back title. In his championship bout, he faced Kian Aragosa of the United Kingdom and came up just short in a close, hard-fought fight.
Bazan’s campaign underscored his consistency at the highest amateur levels and his hunger to keep climbing.
Building durable athletes
The scoreboard tells only part of the story. This week showed Brick House athletes at their best: prepared, respectful, adaptable and relentless. Losses never define them, they inform them.
Every round sharpened their timing, footwork and tactical choices. Every handshake reminded them what sportsmanship means. “These young athletes are resilient and eager to get back to work,” said the coaching staff. “We’ll use every lesson from Oxnard to get better for the next bell.”
Next up for Brick House Boxing
The team will compete in the Sugar Bert National Tournament, 2025 Silver Gloves Tournament and USA Boxing National Tournament. Each event serves as a stepping stone toward national and international prominence, providing our boxers with the exposure and experience they need to thrive on the world’s premier amateur stages.
If you’d like to help these young athletes, sponsorships and donations are warmly welcomed. Contact Johnny Gusman at jo***********@*****st.net.
