The band played the theme from “Rocky” just before the first bout, but there were not great underdog stories to tell at last nights 54 th annual Navy Brigade Boxing Championships.

Things followed form in the eight matches at Halsey Field House, with the pre bout favorites coming through in a show for Navy’s boxing fraternity. The crowd included loads or former brigade champions, coaches and midshipmen following the best boxers in their company.

“There really weren’t any great upsets,” Navy coach Jim McNally said.

Team captain Chandler Comerford earned the Spike Webb Outstanding Boxing Award after the referee stopped his 172-pound contest with Andrew McNulty 1:42 into the third round.

“I’m really a pretty straightforward boxer,” Comerford said. “My jab works pretty well, but I like to keep it simple with everything.”

Comerford had never boxed until his plebe year at the Naval Academy. He found that it relived stress, and that he seemed to have a talent for it, too. Three years later, he may have a shot at a National Championship this spring. Comerford is a two-time all-American who finished third at the Nationals in 1994.

“It’s tough to tell what’s out there,” Comerford said. “It changes from year to year. It’s always going to be a challenge.”

Other champions included Colin Keenan (139), Liam Hulin (147), Todd Alexander (156), J.J. Puga (165), Jon Bradley (180), Jon Ohman (190) and Chris Eichinger (heavyweight).

Those eight champions qualified for the National Collegiate Boxing Association’s Southeast Regional to be held March 24-25 at the Citadel in Charlestown, S.C. The nationals are set for the Air Force Academy, April 6-7.

“I’m pleased with the way all for them performed tonight,” McNally said. “All eight bouts were competitive, which is not unexpected at this level. They all earned the right to box tonight.”

Members of the Navy boxing club had been training since September in an attempt to earn the Renard Boxing Award given to all champions at he end of the evening. Rear Admiral Jack C. Renard was the bantamweight titleholder on of the 1928 national championship team.

Last night’s action matched classmates, teammates, sparring partners and friends.

“This is a little different than the nationals because they’re bouts against guys you know, work out in the gym with and are on the same team as,” said Comerford a Kennebunkport, Maine native. “As far as intensity goes, it’s a little different than when we compete at the regionals as a team member. Being part of the Navy boxing team really brings it all together.”

Alexander, a defending national champion, survived a slugfest with John Bobo at 156. Eventually, he took a 5-0 decision.

Puga became a bit too aggressive and had a point deducted in his 165-pound battle with Jason Brandt. The McAllen, Tex., sophomore eventually forced the referee to stop the contest after a series of combinations and jabs.

“He’s got an aggressive style anyway, and got a little bit carried away,” McNally said. “He had a point taken away and something like that could really cost him at regionals and nationals.”