Elpidio Ocampo
July 4, 2016Reporting police misdeeds no easy task
July 6, 2016
Houma native Trey Alexander just keeps on winning.
His latest title just may be his biggest one yet — a national crowd sanctioned by USA boxing.
Alexander, 22, won the 2016 National Police Activities League Boxing Championship last week, outlasting two opponents on his way to the title.
With the victories, Alexander is now 17-3 on his amateur career. He’s considered one of the best boxers in the military — a multi-time member of the All-Army boxing team.
He nearly won the NPAL title last year, but finished just short of the title.
“This is one of the biggest national tournaments around,” Alexander said. “It’s a feeling of reward to be a national champion — knowing how much work I put in paid off. I got the ultimate prize. I was close last year, but this year, I went all the way so it’s accomplishing.”
For Alexander, being an athlete isn’t new. He’s competed in various sports throughout his life. Alexander said he played basketball, football and baseball as a child — always finding a way to stay active, no matter what season it was in the year.
At Ellender Memorial High School, Alexander was a standout performer on the Patriots’ men’s basketball team — a combo guard who had the ability to stretch defenses with a pinpoint 3-point touch.
His brother Leland was also a hoops star — a young prodigy who graduated from Ellender and now players for Xavier University of Louisiana.
Boxing didn’t come into the fold for Trey Alexander until later in life.
He picked up the sport out of high school when he was 18. He did so shortly after becoming an active member of the United States Army National Guard.
“It’s been about four years now,” he said.
For most, the lack of youthful experience would be a hamper, but for Alexander, it’s not been much of a challenge.
He said he possesses a rare ability of speed and power. In five of Alexander’s victories, he’s won via knockout.
In a lot of the others, he’s used his speed and quickness to outpoint opponents, showcasing an ability to hit others while avoiding contact.
Alexander is long and slender, as well. He fights just above 140 pounds. When not in the ring, he walks in street clothes at 160 pounds.
“Boxing is a great challenge for me,” he said. “Boxing allows me to challenge myself both physically and mentally. That’s why I do it. That’s what I like the most about
it.”
And so far, Alexander has found a way to answer just about every challenge that’s come his way.
The Houma native parlayed his skills into immediate in-ring success.
Alexander earned a place on the All-Army boxing team after winning top honors at a tournament in Arizona — the second year in a row he made the prestigious team.
At Nationals, he won two-straight three-round bouts, outpointing Jesus Vasquez first, then beating Christian Camarena in the finals.
Alexander said both competitors were worthwhile challengers, and he relied on his instincts to push through. Alexander said his coaches were also instrumental in getting him through the bouts, calling each a stiff challenge.
“Both of those guys were competitors,” Alexander said. “I won both of my fights, but they were tough. Neither was easy. They were both very difficult challenges.”
Alexander said when the final decision was announced, he was filled with joy. He said he immediately started thinking of all of the people who helped him along the way, which nearly moved him to tears.
He said that feeling of joy is one which he will never forget, saying it will motivate him to keep pushing throughout the rest of his career.
“It’s a feeling I wouldn’t mind working for over and over again,” Alexander said. “It was great. It was one which motivates you to keep pushing to do even better.”
For Alexander, the next step is unknown, though he said in the immediate future, a little rest is in order.
“I’ll take a slight break from the gym,” Alexander said. “Then I’ll be back to working out in a week preparing for whatever comes.”
The next step is unknown, but Alexander does have a hint of what might be to come.
With his victory at Nationals, he’s qualified for the World Class Athlete Program — a goal he may chase in the future once he gets back into the gym.
Alexander has a little more than a year left in his military service, and he said he may consider a professional career once his time is up.
He said he recognizes the support he has in Houma and the fact that he’s become a role model to many young people who see his successes.
Alexander said he wanted to speak directly to those people and let them know that if they chase their dreams, anything in life is possible.
“Don’t stop believing in your dream,” he said. “Don’t stop believing in your vision — whatever it may be. Keep faith and work hard. With that, anything can and will happen.”
Houma native Trey Alexander is quickly rising in the ranks of the boxing scene. An Ellender Memorial High School graduate, Alexander won the National Police Activities League Boxing Championship last week, outlasting two contenders en route to the title. The 140-pound fighter said he has eyes on a career in the pros when his military service is up.
Trey Alexander shows off the biceps on his left arm after winning an amateur bout. With 17 wins and just three losses, Alexander is making a name for himself on the amateur boxing circuit. He hopes to move to higher levels in the coming months.
