Local boxer, Nicole Bracken, punches her way to a national title
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- Nicole Bracken chased her boxing dreams all the way to Houston, Texas, over the weekend for the USA Boxing National Amateur Championships.
And now, she’s a national champion.
Her journey — from losing weight to stepping into the ring, climbing the ranks and ultimately winning a national title — has been nothing short of a dream come true.
“I feel really accomplished. I feel like that was a big task. I didn’t underestimate it but I didn’t assume that was what was in store for me,” Bracken said.
Along the way, Bracken said she’s been grateful for her team and everyone who showed up to support her.
Her coach, Marcus Garza, said the moment feels like a dream, too. But at the same time, he said, it’s exactly what they had been working toward.
“It was tough and we plan for tough fights and that’s exactly what we got and as the days progressed, the competition got tougher but we made the adjustments,” he said.
For Bracken, the competition was challenging right from the start.
She said the first day was nothing like she expected, which made for a difficult beginning. And from there, the competition only got tougher.
“Day 3 was absolutely the toughest challenge that I have faced so far and over coming that one was huge,” she added.
Bracken said having a team she could rely on — and a coach who could push her while delivering a clear and direct message — made all the difference.
She said Garza constantly reminded her what she needed to do and exactly what he expected from her in each fight.
“I did everything I could to deliver everything that was requested of me,” she said.
Bracken said the nerves and emotions were some of her biggest challenges throughout the competition.
When those moments hit, Garza reminded her that this was exactly what they had worked and prayed for — and that the nerves were a normal part of the fight.
Now, it’s back to work.
Garza said the team will hit the gym tonight, debrief and start preparing for the next fight. The goal: stay active, keep fighting and keep winning titles.
