Feb. 17, 2003

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Four returning champions headline the list of 145 boxers slated to compete beginning this week in the 73rd annual version of the Bengal Mission Bouts, the University of Notre Dame’s yearly club boxing tournament.

Tickets are now on sale for all four rounds of the Bengal Bouts. Preliminary bouts are set for 6:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2003 — with quarterfinal bouts slated for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23, semifinals at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, and the finals at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.

The preliminary, quarterfinal and semifinal bouts are scheduled for the Joyce Center Fieldhouse (enter Gate 3 of the north dome), while the finals will be held in the Joyce Center Arena (enter Gate 10 of the south dome).

Returning champions include senior Shawn Newburg (125 pounds) from Indianapolis, Ind., senior John Lynk (190) from Glenview, Ill., sophomore Mark DeSplinter (160) from Greenwood Village, Colo., and law student Carlos Abeyta (heavyweight) from Lubbock, Texas.

Returning runners-up from ’02 are senior Clay Cosse (165) from Chalmette, La., and junior Stefan Borovina (heavyweight) from Locust Valley, N.Y.

Local boxers expected to compete include freshman Greg Schaefer, freshman David DeBoer, junior Luke Dillon and junior Pat Dillon, all from Granger.

Ringside reserved seats are $8 for the quarterfinals and semifinals, and $15 (center), $12 (side) and $10 (corner) for the finals. There’s a $2 discount on ringside seats for groups of 10 or more. Advance general admission seats are $5 for quarterfinals and semifinals, $7 for the finals. Four-session general admission season tickets are $10. General admission at the gate for students 16 and under is $3 for the quarterfinals and semifinals and $5 for the finals. There is a $1 general admission charge for the Feb. 20 preliminary bouts.

Tickets are available at the Joyce Center ticket window (on second floor, enter Gate 1 or 2) or by phone using VISA, MasterCard or American Express by calling 219-631-7356.

WVFI Radio AM 640, the Notre Dame student station, expects to broadcast live during the quarterfinal, semifinal and final bouts. The broadcasts also can be heard on the WVFI web site at www.wvfi.nd.edu (check the web site for exact times of broadcasts for the various rounds).

The Bengal Bouts, conducted since 1930 and now under the auspices of the Rec-Sports Department, benefit the Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh. Last year’s Bouts raised a record $66,000.

For more information, contact Shawn Newburg at (574) 634-1510 or call the boxing room at (574) 631-9325.