Southside Boxing Club out of Kihei packed a serious punch in Mesa, Arizona, walking away with the team championship trophy at the 50th Gene Lewis Invitational. The Maui squad turned a nine-member roster into five division titles, with champions Micah Diaz, Aukai Walsh, Javan Avilla, Jessiah Garcia and Izel Solorzano leading the charge. The result stands as one of the biggest team moments for the Kihei program in recent years and reinforces the island’s presence on the national amateur boxing map.
As reported by Maui Now, Southside was one of more than 50 teams and roughly 645 fighters who packed into the three-day invitational. Maui Now notes that the nine-member club claimed its five championship titles under the guidance of coaches Nante Manangan, Rico Manangan, and Kili Madrid. Organizers and team officials said the trip offered especially valuable rounds and tournament reps for the younger boxers on the roster.
50th Gene Lewis Invitational in Mesa
The Gene Lewis Invitational marked its 50th year from Nov. 14–16 at the Broadway Recreation Center in Mesa, according to the Gene Lewis Boxing Club. The long-running event draws amateur outfits from across the mainland and serves as a key fall stop for USA Boxing hopefuls. Its three-day format is designed so younger fighters can see multiple styles, collect more rounds, and build up tournament experience in a short window.
Maui's Rising Stars
Southside’s title run was anchored by several breakout performances, starting with Micah Diaz, whose climb on the national circuit has been closely watched back home. The Maui News has detailed Diaz’s recent national victories and top ranking in his weight class, a context that explains why his latest gold in Mesa drew extra attention. The other champions, Walsh, Avilla, Garcia, and Solorzano, delivered key wins of their own that stacked up the crucial points Southside needed to secure the overall team trophy.
What This Win Means For Maui Boxing
Securing the team trophy in Mesa gives Southside valuable momentum heading into the winter tournament slate and can boost seeding and ranking chances for its young fighters at larger national events. The Maui News notes that strong invitational showings like this have helped Mauians earn spots and recognition at major USA Boxing competitions. For the Kihei gym, the return flight from Arizona comes with hardware in the luggage and hard-earned experience for the next wave of Maui boxers.
