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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Accomplished Ocala teen boxer recognized by city, will compete in Junior Pan American Games

An accomplished Ocala youth boxer was awarded a commendation from the mayor during this week’s Ocala City Council meeting.

On Tuesday, October 5, Mayor Kent Guinn presented 18-year-old Ocala boxer Faith Mendez with a commendation recognizing her numerous achievements in the sport.

Accomplished Ocala youth boxer receives commendation from city
Faith Mendez speaks at the city council meeting on October 7

Mendez began her boxing career at the age of 12 and trained at the Almighty Boxing Club in Reading, Pennsylvania. Her father, Carlos Mendez, also serves as her personal training coach.

Guinn highlighted a long list of Mendez’s career achievements, including the WBC Green Belt Championship in the National Sugar Bert Tournament, and multiple first place finishes in the National Junior Olympics from 2016 to 2019.

At this year’s qualifying for the Junior Pan American Games held in Mexico, Mendez finished in 2nd place. She is now training at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado to compete in the upcoming Junior Pan American Games in Colombia in November.

“I would like to first start off by saying thank you because this means a lot. Everybody doesn’t see how hard it is to be in boxing, and it’s not a boy’s sport. Girls can do it too,” said Mendez during the meeting. She thanked her family for always being there, and 12 Rounds Boxing gym for helping her get to where she is today.

In the past five years, Mendez has accumulated an impressive collection of accolades and awards, including multiple National Golden Gloves first place finishes, and wins at the 2018 USA Boxing Junior National Championship and the 2020 USA Boxing Youth National Championship.

For some of her additional accomplishments and tournament victories, visit Faith Mendez’s profile with Team USA Boxing.