Casey almost wins national boxing title
Williamsville resident pulls off semifinal upset, loses in final
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville resident Wendy Casey was a runner-up at the United States Future Stars Women's National Championships on March 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo. File photo

Three and a half years ago, Wendy Casey walked into the University at Buffalo Boxing Club wanting to try to something different.

After placing second at the United States Future Stars Women's National Championships on March 13 in Colorado Springs, Colo., it's safe to say the Williamsville resident has taken a liking to the sport.

Casey, an unranked boxer, lost 12-9 to top-ranked Queen Underwood in the finals of the 138-pound light welterweight division.

Despite losing, the heavy-handed Casey felt she made Underwood fight an all-power style.

"I definitely made her want to fight my fight," said Casey, who fell to 19-7. "She likes to box more. She doesn't really have a power punch. She tried to muscle me a little bit and saw that she couldn't."

"Wendy definitely did more damage," said UB boxing coach Dean Eoannou. "She landed heavier punches."

To advance to the finals, Casey upset the nation's fifth-ranked 138-pounder, Kimberly Rose, 10-8. Casey trailed Rose by two points at the end of the third period but came back strong in the fourth period to earn the win.

"The fourth round is usually my strongest round," said Casey. "I always go all out. You can't tell me that I didn't try my hardest."

Casey received a first round bye.

To qualify, Casey won a qualifier in Buffalo and the Northeastern championship in Connecticut.

Placing second at nationals is the highest honor Casey has earned in her short boxing career. She's also a two-time New York State Golden Gloves female light welterweight champion, took bronze at Golden Gloves nationals two years ago, and won gold in the 138-pounds women's open division at last summer's Empire State Games.

"It's really incredible how far she's gone," said Eoannou.

Second at nationals probably would have qualified Casey for this summer's Olympic Games, but women's boxing is not yet recognized as an Olympic sport. There is talk it could be voted as an Olympic sport for the 2012 Games.

"If that opportunity comes and I'm still doing it, I would definitely take it," said Casey.

Casey's performance at nationals has also resulted in her getting invited to a card presented by Title Boxing from June 4-6 in Memphis, Tenn.

Wrestler before boxer

Wendy Casey never boxed or fought anybody prior to joining the UB team, but she was always athletic.

Casey said she wrestled six years at Binghamton High School and won women's nationals at 126 and 132 pounds.

She gave up wrestling and focused on boxing when she got to UB. It's there where Eoannou came across Casey, the heaviest puncher he's ever seen at 138 pounds.

"She can box left- or right-handed and is a devastating puncher,"

''said Eoannou. "She hits a ton." "You can always tell when someone's in a fight with me when they get out of the ring," said Casey. "I usually come out pretty unharmed. The girls don't tend to hit as hard as I do. I got a good defense, too."

Eoannou said Casey also has great footwork and can work angles.

Casey also has the brains to back up her power. The 22-year-old received her undergraduate degree from UB in math education.

"This game isn't about how strong you are; it's really about how smart you are, how you are able to adapt to what other people are doing," said Eoannou. "If you have someone that's stronger than you, you don't stand in front of her. If you have someone that has faster footwork than you, you take away their legs. If she's faster, you better know how to counterpunch."

Casey has gotten so good in such a short time that no one locally wants to fight her.

"Usually, competition comes from out of state like Ohio or Canada," said Eoannou.

The next few months will be a little hectic for Casey. As of press time, she was scheduled to fight in the New York State Golden Gloves Western Region qualifier on March 27 at Michael's Banquet Facility, 4885 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg. A first place there would send her to states April 11-12 in Syracuse, followed by nationals July 8-12 in Dania Beach, Fla. Casey is also looking forward to this summer's Empire State Games in July in her hometown of Binghamton.