Local boxer wins at international competition
Local boxer Deonte Willis.
Championships held in Oxnard
– Local boxer Deonte Willis recently won heavyweight champion at the 2024 Inaugural International P.A.L. Boxing Championships, which was held October 1-5 in Oxnard. Nine countries were represented at the event.
“I’m just trying to bring some light to boxing and boxers in our area,’ said Willis, who started boxing in 2022. “A lot of time and dedication is put into this craft so we can represent ourselves, our family, our gym and our town,”
The fight occurred between Willis, who is 29 years old, and a boxer from the Central Valley. Willis notes that his opponent utilized reach and speed in the beginning of the fight until Willis could use his power and pressure to secure the win.
“It was a good fight…I felt very confident going into the fight from all my training [and] sparring and was eager to get into the ring and bring home the title,” Willis said.
Willis with his belt after winning at the 2024 Inaugural International P.A.L. Boxing Championships.
Willis, who trains at Goat Shack Boxing in Paso Robles, had his first competition in May 2023. He has won at the regional Golden Gloves and placed second at the state-level tournament; he won at the Northwest Nationals in Oregon in August 2023 and placed second at the USA Boxing National Open in Albuquerque in March 2024. He has also competed in various local events.
He is currently ranked ninth in the nation for super heavyweight boxers.
Willis aims to compete in Arizona and Virginia tournaments this year before going professional.
Good work!
Good work!