The Fighting Spirit: How Lillian Nordini Went from Novice Boxer to National Champ

When Western Colorado University sociology major Lillian Nordini laced up her gloves for the first time, she wasn’t thinking about titles or championships. She just wanted to see if she could fight.

As a dedicated weightlifter, she loved doing hard things. And while she wanted to try combat sports, between academics, hockey commitments, and her role as a mission coordinator on the Western Mountain Rescue Team, she didn’t feel like she had time for anything else.

Then, walking through Western’s club fair in the fall of 2024, at the start of her senior year, she met Ysabella “Izzy” Bellotti, president of the Club Boxing team, and all that changed. “She showed so much interest in me, and I had always wanted to give it a try,” she said, “so I did.” It turned out to be a good fit.

A Drive to Succeed

At 5 feet 2 inches, Lillian might not look like a knockout boxer, but looks can be deceiving. Starting that September, she trained in the gym with Izzy several days a week, working on the skills and strategies of boxing over more than 200 rounds of sparring. “She learned super-fast, and I’m so proud and impressed with how much she got done in such a short time,” Izzy said. “More than improving her strength, all she was missing was the technicality of the sport, which she caught onto super quick.” Her training quickly evolved as she got better.

Her family was shocked. “No one else in my family boxes or does any combat sports,” Lillian said. “While they still love me and support me, they aren’t the biggest fans of me boxing; they don’t want me getting hurt, which I understand.”

But it wasn’t Lillian who was getting hurt. From the opening bell at the United States Intercollegiate Boxing Association (USIBA) National Championships in Macon, Georgia, in the last week of March, it was clear Lillian was a force to be reckoned with.

Because there weren’t any opportunities to fight preliminary bouts locally, her first chance to get in the ring against an actual opponent was at Nationals, where any college student fighting for a team or club can compete. Fighters are placed in a bracket, and if they lose, they’re out. She didn’t know what to expect. Nerves wracked her during the weigh-in, and she couldn’t manage to eat before the fight. But as soon as the bell rang, her training kicked in.

“I have been told my fighting style is the attacking type,” she said. “I don’t wait for you to throw a punch. I hit you regardless and keep the pressure on.” She models her aggressive style on the Irish boxing champion Katie Taylor and wore Taylor-esque braids in her hair for Nationals as a tribute to her hero.

Three Fights. Three Wins. One Title.

The USIBA Nationals tournament capped fighters at three bouts, one per day. Fighting as a lightweight, Lillian was ferocious, stopping all three of her opponents before the final bell. Her longest fight lasted just fifteen seconds into the second round.

In her first match-up, Lillian had a dominant performance, ultimately delivering a shot to her opponent’s head that left her dazed, with the referee counting. When asked if she wanted to continue the fight, she said ‘no’ and left the ring immediately, giving Lillian the knockout win in her first-ever bout. “I was told that she left for the Urgent Care as they believed I might have popped her eardrum,” Lillian said.

Her second fight was more challenging, but ended much the same, with the referee stepping in, giving Lillian the TKO. “She’s significantly taller than I am, and it took more strategy and skill to hit her. But I felt time go slow and I could see in slow motion,” she said. “I’d never experienced anything like it. That was the coolest feeling I’ve had in boxing. I’m told that’s a physical characteristic of good fighters.”

Her final fight was against Grand Valley State’s Samantha Swafford. Shortly into the second round, the referee stepped in once again to prevent a possible injury. It was too late. Swafford soon left the ring for the emergency room, fearing she’d broken her nose. But before she left, the two opponents hugged out of mutual respect. “During our exchange, she said I should continue with the sport as she said I was really good.”

Seven months after first putting on boxing gloves, Lillian felt her arm raised in the center of the ring as an undefeated national champion.

“I am so glad I chose to start boxing,” Lillian said. “This victory is my reward, and I never plan on stopping. I have fallen in love with the sport and am excited to continue in it after college. I am proud to represent the small school of Western at Nationals. I am proud to bring home the belt. I will be leaving my belt in the trophy cases at the gym to inspire other young female boxers and to proudly bring home a win for my beloved school.”