Jelena Vigil a USA Boxer

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Senior and aspiring Olympian recently competed in Shreveport; will attend UNLV and train with older brother Jaydon. 

Consider the irony -- Jelena Vigil is an aspiring nurse who also can put a hurt on you.

The Mullen senior is a member of USA Boxing, a teenaged, female pugilist who recently competed for a national championship. At the Convention Center in Shreveport, La., Vigil, fighting in the Elite 112-pound class, dropped a split decision to an opponent from Texas, but refused to hang her head.

The upside of boxing in the upper amateur level – three rounds, each 3 minutes -- left an impression on her.

“It was just back and forth,” Vigil said. “She’s from Texas (Victoria Trabysh), but it was really close, back and forth every round … it was a split decision for her, but it could have went the other way.

“I’ve only had 10 fights; she had 30-plus. It was a really good experience for me. It was my first national tournament, a pretty big deal.”

Mustangs know the name Vigil and its association with boxing. Three years ago, Vigil’s older brother, Jaydon, was a Mullen senior and accomplished through Golden Gloves. And it’s no shock who and what drew Jelena to the sweet science.

“I’ve been doing it two-and-a-half years,” Jelena said, “and I liked it and I I got into it through my brother.”
Participating in a national tournament, even during what everyone hopes are some of the final stages of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – only a couple of spectators per boxer were permitted -- Vigil said, “was an amazing experience. I learned a lot as a boxer and a person. I got a lot of respect for my name as well out there.”

Vigil says she has a 4.0 grade-point average and will head to UNLV, where Jaydon is a junior. The elder Vigil is expected to turn professional soon; the younger has her eyes on the 2024 Olympics. They are to train together.

Recently ranked No. 8 in her weight class, Vigil’s next tournament will be in July and she’s motivated to be ready to win.
“It was super awesome,” Vigil said of her recent showing. “My next national tournament, I’ll know what to do and I’ll be better. It just helps you a lot.

“It has inspired me to go back home and train 120 percent harder.”
Back