Submitted Photo Karena Verbitsky in the ring during a match at the USA Boxing Women’s Championships in Toledo, Ohio.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Local boxer Karena Verbitsky was a part of history last month. Verbitsky has been working hard on making a name for herself in the women’s boxing scene, and to continue to do so, Verbitsky made her way to Toledo, Ohio to participate in the USA Boxing Women’s Championships.

The trip to Toledo was a historic one, as it marked the first time ever that USA Boxing hosted the Women’s Championships. In a week that featured 250 boxers fighting for the top prize, Verbitsky showed that her skills were on par with fighters from all around the country.

Before diving into tournament play, Verbitsky displayed that she was ready to rise to the occasion by getting a win via the ref stopping the competition (RSC) in the second round.

Opening tournament play, Verbitsky met Ndeye Diouf from Michigan in the ring, who had a three-time world champion in Claressa Shields in full support of Diouf. Following a similar pattern, Verbitsky was not fazed by her opponent nor those showing their support for Diouf, and Verbitsky dominated again with a win by RSC in the third round.

With an undefeated record at the USA Boxing Women’s Championships, Verbitsky fought her way to a spot in the championship. Her opponent pulled out, making Verbitsky a champion by walkover and was given a medal for being named the Senior Female Novice National Champion.

“Overall, this week has been a pivotal step in my boxing career, racking up my record to 4-0. To not only attend a national tournament so early in my career but to win and become a national champion has shown me that practice never lies, and hard work always pays off,” Verbitsky said.

Keeping it local, Verbitsky was coached by Bethany Baker from New Town during the event. Baker is on the USA Boxing National Women’s Committee and her passion for women’s boxing has helped grow the sport at the local and national levels.

Baker has hosted a women’s boxing event in New Town that helped pave the way for the national championships in Toledo. Baker has plans to host another local event, which is scheduled for March 16 at 4 Bears Casino.

It wasn’t just in the ring that Verbitsky saw success in Toledo. She also spent time networking throughout the week. During her time there, she was officially added as an athlete member of the National USA Boxing Women’s Committee, which aims to help create opportunities for women in the sport of boxing.

“I hope that through my new role on the Women’s Committee, I will be able to provide opportunities for young women and coaches in this sport to flourish. I strive to be a role model for the young boxers I train with every day.”

With Verbitsky and Baker both being a part of the women’s committee, North Dakota now has two members representing the state on a national level.

Before leaving Toledo, Verbitsky got a chance to learn from a professional to cap off a very exciting week for her boxing career. Verbitsky was personally invited to spar at a local gym with Danielle Perkins, who is the 2019 Amateur World Champion and current heavyweight professional fighter.

“Sparring with a professional fighter definitely showed me the level I need to strive for if I want to be successful on the world stage. I am grateful that she took the time to give me feedback which I am able to take home and implement into my training,” Verbitsky said.

Following a dominant week on the national stage, Verbitsky is looking forward to getting back in the gym and working towards achieving more goals in her boxing career.

“Looking forward, I am going to build off this win and get back in the gym. I am currently working on accumulating more bouts in order to meet the minimum bout requirements for the upcoming national qualifier for the Olympic Trials. I cannot express how much I appreciate all the support I have received from the Minot community and beyond as I chase my Olympic dreams.”