Zach Smith spars with former teammate JJ Mariano Thursday at Elite Boxing Gym.
The Nevada boxing club team won a national championship in 2015 with five boxers competing, four of whom won individual titles.
This week, the Nevada team will have the home ring advantage, if there is such a thing, as it gets to try for a national title in its backyard.
The club team will be trying to win a team title with four boxers as the National Collegiate Boxing Championships are at Silver Legacy in Reno, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday. Bouts continue at 6 p.