Three alumni entered the ring of the University of Notre Dame’s Bengal Bouts boxing tournament on March 29th, earning a spot in the finals of one of the most competitive student-run tournaments in the country. Sean O’Gara ’21, Zach Egan ’23, and William Johnson ’23 proved that the Brophy spirit doesn’t end at graduation. The 95th annual Bengal Bouts brought big matchups, high stakes, and a Brophy connection at the center of it all.
The Bengal Bouts, founded by legendary football coach Knute Rockne, is Notre Dame’s annual charity boxing tournament run by the Men’s Boxing Club. For 95 years, the event has supported Holy Cross Missions in Bangladesh, where 80% of the population lives in extreme poverty in a country the size of Wisconsin with half the U.S. population. Last year alone, the tournament raised over $320,000 to fund education and healthcare initiatives.
Zach Egan, a sophomore, competed in the 165-pound division. In the quarterfinals, he secured a unanimous-decision victory over JM Sauerbrey. In the finals, Egan faced Michael Rauch and, despite a valiant effort, narrowly lost in a closely contested match. The bout could have gone either way, as both fighters were perfectly matched, making it one of the best fights of the night.
For Egan, the tournament was about more than just boxing; it was continuing the growth he started at Brophy. “Brophy is where I found my confidence,” he said. “Being a shy kid coming into Brophy, I would’ve never expected to be addressing the whole student body during a rally my senior year, but that is what the classmates and mentors I found at Brophy naturally did for me. They allowed me to find my voice and challenge myself with the help of others around me.”
Boxing became a way for him to keep pushing himself beyond his comfort zone, but in a way that has purpose. At Notre Dame, Egan was drawn to Bengal Bouts for what it represents. “Boxing was not only a way for me to continue challenging myself,” he said, “but it also allowed me to be a part of something bigger—funding schools and rehab centers in Bangladesh—which is an aspect of life that I learned to appreciate during my time at Brophy.”
William Johnson, also a sophomore, battled Ijeh Nwaezeapu in the 195-pound final. Nwaezeapu, a previous champion as a freshman, came out swinging, pushing Johnson into the corners and ropes early on. Despite Johnson’s resilience, Nwaezeapu’s relentless, forceful offense led to a unanimous decision victory. Johnson, known for his dedication in training, pushed hard throughout the fight but struggled against an opponent who looked more like a seasoned amateur than a college student. Johnson’s commitment to his training reflects how Brophy’s values have been instilled in him and continue to guide him at Notre Dame.
For Johnson, the journey was personal too: “Brophy forced me to push out of my comfort zone and try new things. Coming to Notre Dame, I missed the close brotherhood I felt at Brophy and sought out ways to regain it at my new school. Notre Dame Men’s Boxing closely mimicked what I experienced at Brophy—a group of extraordinary men growing together and working together in the pursuit of justice.”
Sean O’Gara, a senior at Notre Dame, faced sophomore Ryan Davey in the heavyweight final. Now don’t lessen O’Gara’s victory; though Davey is a sophomore, he is just as strong a fighter as O’Gara and was even favored in this match. The bout was intense, with both fighters exchanging powerful blows. O’Gara’s uppercut in the third round caused Davey a bloody injury, leading to a unanimous decision in O’Gara’s favor.
Beyond the wins and losses, these three Brophy alumni demonstrated discipline and commitment to something bigger than themselves in South Bend. Through hours of training, fighting for an admirable cause, and representing Brophy with integrity, Egan, Johnson, and O’Gara embodied what it means to be “Open to Growth,” “Committed to Justice,” and everything in between.
The Bengal Bouts may be Notre Dame’s century-old tradition, but this year, the tournament had Brophy written all over it.
