TAZEWELL, Tenn. — Two members of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall and Fort Belvoir boxing team (JBM-HH) stepped into the ring for their first USA Boxing-sanctioned matches during the June “Best of the Best” tournament in Tazewell.
The fighters—representing a joint force of active-duty military personnel and Department of the Army civilians—demonstrated the physical readiness and mental resiliency required of the modern warfighter. Natalia Koroleva, an Army Department of Public Works civilian from Fort Belvoir, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Michael Croft, assigned to JBM-HH, represented the team in developmental bouts. These matches follow standard sanctioned fighting rules but feature shorter rounds, allowing new boxers to experience the full competition process, from weigh-ins to fighting before a live audience.
The team was led by Head Coach David Pough, a retired Army Sergeant First Class who founded the club in 2019. For Pough, who now runs his own training company, the primary goal for his fighters is progress and building personal resiliency to overcome adversity inside and outside the ring, rather than simply securing a win. “I’m really not a big fan of wins and losses; I just look for improvement,” Pough said. “When the lights are on, can you show up?”
Koroleva, who began boxing three years ago and has lost 70 pounds through her training regimen, faced Kellie Welch of Brave Boxing and Fitness. After adopting a defensive posture in the first round, Koroleva found her rhythm in the second. She landed a series of jabs and crosses that forced a standing eight-count for her opponent, prompting the referee to stop the fight.
“I was glad that I didn’t let my nerves affect getting into the ring too much,” Koroleva said following the match,highlighting the mental toughness expected of Army civilians supporting the mission. “I still got in, and I still did my work. For me, it was just getting a fight under my belt, and I did that.” Croft, a longtime wrestler who took up boxing to test his limits, faced Josiah Sutton of BRC Fighters. Despite his opponent’s height advantage, Croft fought a grueling three-round match, utilizing powerful body hooks to close the distance, a testament to the warfighter spirit.
“I wanted to put myself in a different area, to challenge myself in a different way,” Croft said. “It was a great day. I’m glad I had this experience and could get a first fight in and build from here.”
Both fighters noted that cardio and technique, the building blocks of physical readiness, will be key in their upcoming training cycles.
The Tazewell tournament, which featured 56 boxers from 13 gyms across the South and Mid-Atlantic, also served as a networking opportunity. The JBM-HH and Fort Belvoir team connected with other regional gyms to discuss future cross-training sessions, reinforcing the club's core philosophy of personal growth, sportsmanship, and camaraderie.
The team has a busy schedule ahead, with plans to compete in the USA Boxing Masters Tournament in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the USA Boxing National Championships in Lafayette, Louisiana, this December.
The JBM-HH/Belvoir Boxing Team is currently accepting new members of all ages and skill levels. Practices are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Combatives Center (Bldg. 1139), 9730 Lowen Road, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. All are welcome to join and train with the team.
Story by Natalia Koroleva, Fort Belvoir DPW