A recent Point Loma High School graduate has qualified to become a national champion in boxing.

Joey Azar, a water polo player in the Class of 2020, visited Victory Gym on Midway Drive with older brother Jake (Class of 2016), became enamored with boxing, and soon was in training with James, a coach, after the two established a strong connection.

Now, the young fighter is awaiting a trip to Charlotte, N.C. for the National Championships of Collegiate Boxing on April 13-15 where he will challenge the nation’s best.

Azar selected University of Nevada, Reno for college after searching several colleges with boxing programs. Now a junior majoring in journalism with a business minor, Azar won the recent 139-pound regional championship in Concord this month. He overwhelmed an Air Force Academy opponent before the match was halted and later outscored a Santa Clara University fighter on points.

Collegiate boxing is composed of three two-minute rounds with combatants wearing head and mouth protection as well as kidney belts. Matches are stopped on a knockdown when the referee feels a contestant is in danger, or the fighter’s corner throws a towel into the ring. Referees use a standing eight-count if deemed necessary.