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Training the body, training the mind

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UNLV boxer records win

Sophomore displays skills in match, hopes to sign contract

UFC light heavy weight champion Forest Griffin, among many others, filled the Warrior Training Center Saturday night to witness UNLV sophomore and up-and-coming boxing star Bradley Blankenship defeat Martinez Porter in the 165 pound division.

Blankenship began training when he was a freshman in high school when he joined the Elite boxing team.

“I have always been into violence and fighting so I decided to go for it,” Blankenship said.

Blankenship was involved in Tae Kwan Do at a younger age to help control his hypoglycemia (low levels of sugar in blood), but the martial art was a catalyst for his boxing career.

The 19-year-old business finance major had thoughts of joining the boxing team at UNLV, but decided to remain with Elite boxing.

“I really like my coach. He has helped me so much and without him none of this would be possible,” Blankenship said. “I am very loyal to him.”

He is also on the verge of signing with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. De La Hoya has already signed Blankenship’s trainer’s son and expressed interest in signing Blankenship.

“They have become very interested in me,” Blankenship said. “I am hoping to sign with them by next year, hopefully in the summer.”

With Saturday night’s performance that possibility seems very likely.

During the first round Blankenship played it safe as he spent the round feeling his opponent out.

“[Porter] was a lot taller than me so I was just trying to get my distance down,” Blankenship said. Blankenship was aggressive at the beginning of the second round. At one point

He had Porter dazed but was unable to put him away.

“My trainer got a little mad at me about that one,” Blankenship said. “I was able to get inside him and land some hard shots. I just couldn’t put him away.

Both fighters put aside their technical game in the third round and the fight turned into an all-out brawl. Blankenship pressured his opponent and used his quick hands to his advantage. He used two quick jabs to the body to set up a hook that could penetrate steel, landing on Porter’s face.

Blankenship was declared the winner by decision and improved his record to 15-3.