Brook Sibrian Locked in for Commerce Casino, January 17th
Brook “Mighty” Sibrian taking a pause while shadowboxing at 818 Boxing Club | Photo taken: December 21 2024
I had the great honor of attending a December 2024 training session of light flyweight sensation Brook “Mighty” Sibrian (5-1, 2 KOs) at the 818 Boxing Club in the City of San Fernando, CA. When the L.A. native is training away from her main gym (Coachella Valley Boxing Club), she leverages the amenities of 818 Boxing Club, owned by highly respected coach Edgar Ponce.
Brook “Mighty” Sibrian consulting with 818 Boxing Gym owner Edgar Ponce | Photo taken: December 21 2024
In a January 2023 Desert Sun feature, Sibrian noted that she never envisioned that one of her amateur bouts would set the course towards winning two back-t0-back national titles and becoming a full-fledged professional boxer. Following her successful professional debut in October 2023, Sibrian found herself fighting 5 times the throughout the following year of 2024. On one of those fights, Sibrian defeated Hilary Romero by unanimous decision in the July 2024 undercard of mentor and pound-for-pound boxing great Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (52-4, 42 KOs) in Polideportivo Alexis Arguello in Managua, Nicaragua.
“From 0 to 25 amateur fights, fighting professional under Chocolatito in his country. All of it was manifested, then worked towards”
Jose “Mega” Soto wrapping hands of Brook “Mighty” Sibrian | 818 Boxing Club | Photo taken: December 21, 2024
Looking back at her high activity in 2024, fighting locally in Los Angeles and abroad in Mexico, Sibrian had much to reflect on, heading into the new year.
“I can sit here and spend all day talking about everything I’ve learned this past year. This sport, this lifestyle has so many layers but a few things I’ve learned or at least have paid closer attention to in the past year are these [continued below]:”
“You must establish your non-negotiables to further yourself towards the mission .”
Brook “Mighty” Sibrian with sparring partner, UCLA Bruin Nicole Chisholm | 818 Boxing Club | Photo taken: December 21, 2024
“Forget about having ‘camps’, this is a lifestyle and every single detail matters so be very intentional every day.”
“Protect your inner peace which includes your body (literally), your circle, ultimately your mental: your view of yourself as the fighter and a person.”
Brook “Mighty” Sibrian with sparring partner Anthony “818 $avage” Ponce, son of 818 Boxing Club owner Edgar Ponce | 818 Boxing Club | Photo taken: December 21, 2024
“When it comes to training, the key is being 100% focused, concentrated in every layer or aspect of what you’re doing. You have to be present, and can’t allow yourself to get comfortable in going through the motions.”
“Lastly, I am a brand, a business, not just an athlete, and in order to increase and improve the opportunities I get, I need to share my story and create a community. I can’t be great without the audience, the fans to support it so a lot goes into that aspect, there are so many forms of ‘investment’ and we’ve made so much progress in that department but obviously still learning and working towards it and manifesting of course.”
On November 2024, Sibrian was looking to continue her then-undefeated record against Tania Garcia Hernandez in the city of Rosarito, Mexico. Unfortunately, Sibrian would face her 1st professional loss, via unanimous decision, at the hands of her most experienced opponent so far in Hernandez, who has 20 fights, all accumulating to 150 rounds, in her resume. That fight was definitely a learning experience for Sibrian, which only fuels her professional growth heading into 2025.
“Looking back, it wasn’t so much of what she did. It was more of what I failed to do to prepare for it properly. At the time, we didn’t think it would have an adverse affect and it did. Simple as that. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way with a professional loss, but nothing is an accident. It’s all part of God’s plan and I’m embracing it. ”
Jose “Mega” Soto, trainer and fiance of Sibrian, wasted no time in reviewing the variables that may have played a factor in that professional loss and making sure such things are corrected heading into the following year.
“We are students of the game. So we dissected this incident to the very root of it. The time between fights, hardships through the short camp, my approach & execution of the camp as head trainer. The actual fight itself, the game plan, the failure to adapt, all of it. I personally had to go through the natural phase of doubt and disbelief of what happened. But one thing we both came out of it saying is, we never want to feel that feeling again. It stings. We had a hiccup but nothing changes the belief (delusion, some will call it) is still intact and even stronger than before & Brook is still on track to become the World Champion and superstar the world will fall in love with. We’ve established non-negotiables moving forward that will have us back on track.”
Jose “Mega” Soto preparing Brook “Mighty” Sibrian for her upcoming January 17th 2025 fight | 818 Boxing Club | Photo taken: December 21 2024
As I was recording content for Team Sibrian at 818 Boxing Club, I witnessed 1st hand the in-depth, technical manner in which Mega prepares Sibrian, especially for her upcoming January 17th fight against fellow L.A. native Gloria Munguilla (6-1) at The Commerce Casino, promoted by Tom Loeffler's 360 Promotions.
“I believe the version of Mighty Brook showing up on January 17th will steal the show, make a statement to all the straw weights, light-flyweights & flyweights. Mighty is here to shake the world. ”
Sibrian and Mega anticipates an all-action fight with Munguilla come January 17th.
“It’s going to be a barn burner, I expect the very best of Gloria. All I know is that the fans are in for a treat! ”
“We respect Gloria and her team. We expect them to get Gloria 100% ready for a war. Brook is never in a boring fight, what will be the difference is who’s in better shape & the ring IQ. We’ll be excited to showcase that on fight night. ”
Be sure to watch Gloria Munguilla vs Brook “Mighty” Sibrian on the Omar Trinidad vs Mike Plania undercard, January 17th 2025, taking place at Commerce Casino, promoted by 360 Promotions. The event will be broadcasted on UFC Fight Pass. Click here for tickets.
Chevy Rodriguez, 8x National Champion, Prepping for 2024 USA Boxing National Championships in Richmond VA
On Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, I visited Joel Iriarte’s Warmup Athletics boxing and fitness gym in Bakersfield, CA to shoot additional content for the facility. During my shoot, I happened to meet Chevy Rodriguez and his father trainer Edmundo Rodriguez. The Rodriguez family proudly represents Los Angeles, CA.
Chevy, who currently competes at flyweight, is a 2x junior Olympics gold medalist, 8x National Champion, and ranked #1 by USA Boxing. The 16-year old prodigy also has 123 amateur bouts under his name. Chevy’s family serves as the foundation of his boxing upbringing - both his parents and older sister Olivia, age 18, are all boxing officials. More specifically, Olivia has aided her father Edmundo in training Chevy numerous times. A fighter herself, Olivia also won the junior Olympics alongside her brother Chevy.
Although Chevy is well known within the California amateur boxing scene, Edmundo has made it a priority to have Chevy compete only on the national level as an amateur going forward. On December 16, Chevy intends to dominate the 2024 USA Boxing National Championships in Richmond, VA.