93rd Aquinas Mission Bouts
By Stacey Collier II
ROCHESTER, NY – On March 7th, 2025, the 93rd Aquinas Mission Bouts boxing event took place at the Aquinas Institute in Rochester, New York. The event featured a total of seven bouts, a presentation of donations to the Parkinson’s Foundation, and an awards ceremony at the end to crown the best fighters of the night. The fighters included both girls and boys, ranging from grades 7-12.
Historic Overview
The Aquinas Mission Bouts began in 1932 and is held every March. The Aquinas community each year gathers in the Wegman-Napier gym to watch students, who are amateur boxers, showcase their skills in a three-round bout. Currently, the program is led by boxing coach Dom Arioli, who has dedicated his time and teachings to the program for 45 years. Coach Arioli is also the owner of ROC Boxing & Fitness and a member of the Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame. His impact has drawn in the community and the likes of legendary heavyweight boxer, Muhammad Ali.
Coach Interviews
Coach Arioli recalled the time he met Ali in Rochester in 1994. He said at dinner; Ali grabbed him by his collar and lifted him up. Then, Ali smiled at him and asked if he was the coach. After Coach Arioli said yes, Ali told him “Don’t screw it up”. That moment stuck with him throughout his career. When training fighters, Coach Arioli stated he wants them to be good people in the world and treat others with respect, along with working hard. As the Mission Bouts event approaches 100 years, Coach Arioli is optimistic the program can continue to be successful and hopes to attract more fighters. With concussions and other long-term health problems being a public concern, he wants everyone to know he prioritizes safety first and he welcomes anyone who wants to be a part of the program.
Coach Katia Chaban, also known as Coach Kat, was the scorekeeper of the event. She has been a part of the Aquinas Boxing Program for 17 years. As a former boxer, she was inspired by Coach Dom’s dedication to the program. She was introduced to Coach Dom while working as an amateur official. She went to practice and fell in love with Coach Dom’s regimen. Coach Kat says he is an incredible human being. Also, she cites community and a family environment as the source of the power of the boxing program. Many of the audience members were involved in the program as boxers and are related to the fighters who participated in this year’s event. She stated no other known tradition in the country has the longevity of Aquinas Mission Bouts Boxing.
