Nile Pena never had career aspirations of being a champion boxer growing up. But naturally, when your Grandpa is Alvino Pena, boxing is going to be a part of your life whether you want it to be or not.
Within the last few years, Nile has slowly built up to what is now a very respected boxing team. Nile Pena Boxing will host its 1st Annual show, Rumble at the Rock on Saturday June, 25th at 6pm.
Nile’s goals for this show as well as his club are simple, “This is an opportunity for the kids in my gym to show their family and friends what exactly they have been doing in the gym.” said Pena. When you hear the name Pena, most think of the Davenport Boxing Club. Nile Pena Boxing is not a rival club to his Grandpa’s; it’s actually an extension of the club for the Illinois side of the river. “I wanted to be an extension of the gym that I grew up in and helped coach for ten years,” explained Pena. “I learned more about boxing from coaching than I ever did actually boxing.” Along with coaching, Pena is also a role model and mentor for his students, and he makes sure their priorities are in order. “All my students are required to show me their report cards,” said Pena. “Schoolwork comes first. I try to stay as in touch with the parents as much as I can, and I know that for that hour they are with me, they are off the streets and safe.”
Not only does Pena coach up and coming boxers, he also has many mixed martial artists that come wanting to strengthen their stand up game and he welcomes the challenge. “In the beginning it was a little tough,” explained Pena. “In MMA there are so many aspects to the game that you have to worry about that you just don’t see a boxer. It’s two different though processes when strategizing for each.” In regards to his upcoming show, Pena wants to give the fans as well as all the fighters the closest feel to a professional event as they can get. “Boxing has been around for a long time and I want to do my part to keep it moving in the right direction.” If you haven’t treated yourself to an amateur boxing show, take this opportunity to come out and show support to all the area fighters that put so much blood sweat and tears in order to better themselves as well as provide a great event for the fans.
Nile Pena Boxing Presents the 1st Annual NPB Rumble at the Rock: June 25th, 2011 at The Rock Reception Facility. 302 1st Street, Coal Valley, IL. Weigh Ins are from 2pm-4pm. Fights start at 6pm. Tickets are $10 and are available at the door. Kids 5 and under are free. For more information contact Nile Pena at 309-373-2775.