Annapolis , Maryland ( CNN ) -- Several thousand hoarse voices raise the rafters of the old Halsey Field House on a special night each year on the Annapolis campus of the U.S . Naval Academy . There 's plenty of testosterone and warrior machismo in the air as the midshipmen gather to watch their classmates battle it out at the annual Brigade Boxing Championships . Every midshipman , male and female , knows what its like to tie on the gloves , Naval Academy boxing coach Jim McNally says . `` There 's a lot of interest in the Brigades because they all take boxing , and they get a taste of it , and a lot of them would never have thought about boxing until they take it in a phys . ed . class . '' The boxing team practices daily on the top floor of MacDonough Hall , beneath names and photos of teams and champions past that line the walls . There 's not a modern weight machine , elliptical exerciser or yoga ball in sight . This is hard-core , old-school training . Leather heavy bags hang swing from chains as they are repeatedly struck . Jump ropes nick the wood floor in constant repetition . Mirrors are used for shadowboxing . Three boxing rings quickly fill with activity as midshipmen lace up gloves , strap on headgear and spar with each other until they drip with sweat . The rhythmic pounding of leather on leather and leather on muscle creates a constant thudding and smacking sounds . February 's fights marked the 69th time midshipmen faced each other in the ring for the annual championships . `` It 's a tournament with a lot of history and tradition here , and a lot of famous alumni who have graduated who have been brigade champions or brigade boxers , '' McNally said . `` We 've had generals and admirals , space shuttle astronauts , the secretary of the Navy and U.S . senators . '' One of the most famous matches took place in 1967 between Larry North , whom many know today as Oliver North of Iran-Contra fame , and Jim Webb , now a U.S. senator from Virginia and former secretary of the Navy under President Reagan . North won the bout , and his name now hangs on the wall in the boxing room . McNally has seen a lot of boxers in his more than two decades with the program and says Midshipman 1st Class Michael Anthony Steadman of College Station , Texas , is one of the best he 's seen in a long time . Steadman is a two-time national champion , McNally says . `` He 's one of the hardest-working guys in the gym , a great team leader . '' Steadman is the team captain and boxes in the 175-pound weight class . Every ounce is chiseled muscle , from his calves to his shaved head . His eyes are focused and his look determined . After graduation , Steadman plans to become a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and serve in the infantry . `` We here in the boxing program have a tradition of a lot of us tending to go to the Marine Corps or the [ special ops ] communities . Because boxing builds that warrior spirit , we like to really think we have the warrior ethos , and every time we step in the ring , it gives us a chance to test ourselves to the limit . '' This is his fourth year in the brigade championships . He lost his first year but came back to defeat that foe as a sophomore . Steadman dedicates all his fights to his mother , who suffered a stroke in 2007 . `` I draw a lot of strength from my mom and her situation , and I know that through her and all the sacrifices she 's made for me , stepping in the boxing ring is nothing . '' He calls her on his cell phone before every match . Steadman is heavily favored in his fight against a plebe , or freshman , boxer named Angelo Loreno of San Jose , California . Eight matches have taken place by the time the 175-pound weight class participants enter the ring . Steadman wears a navy blue shirt and shorts with gold trim ; Loreno is clad in gold with blue trim . Matches consist of three two-minute rounds , with a minute of rest in between . Boxers who have traded blows in the ring now relax , socialize and cheer on the remaining competitors . It 's hard to believe that only minutes before , they were taking swings at each others ' heads . `` The Navy boxers here are like brothers , '' Steadman said . `` We hang out on the weekend , call each other on break ; we look out for each other . I 've bled with them . I 've fought with them . I 've trained with them in the gym . It 's just like a family . '' At the bell , Loreno comes out hard and connects with a flurry of punches in the first round . But tonight is not his night . Steadman 's strength and experience carry him through the fight as he scores with rights and lefts , uppercuts and jabs . Loreno stays on his feet the entire bout and puts forth a respectable showing . The crowd is clearly for Steadman . Those packed behind his corner chant `` Mike , Mike , Mike , Mike '' as the clock ticks down before the final bell . Steadman is declared a three-time Brigade Champion , and his arm is raised high . The two midshipmen embrace , and Steadman walks Loreno back to his corner and gives him words of encouragement . `` He really rocked me in the first round , '' Steadman said . `` I 'm old Navy boxing . He 's the future of Navy boxing . '' Steadman was also singled out for a special award and was named the Brigade 's Most Outstanding Boxer of the tournament . It 's not a surprise that boxing is popular at the Naval Academy . `` Being the nature of the institution that we 're developing warriors here , '' McNally said , `` you get a lot of individuals that say , ' I want to go our for a sport that 's a warrior-type sport that 's going to help me be a warrior in my career in the Navy or the Marine Corps . ' `` With the introduction of high technology and specialization in athletics in recent years , McNally puts boxing and what his team does in very simple terms : `` Boxing is as basic as it comes . As soon as man learned how to stand up on two feet and curl his hand into a fist , they 've been fighting . ''
Midshipmen face off in Naval Academy 's Brigade Boxing competition . Well-known names have taken part in championships over the years . The winner of this year's championship will be crowned NCAA Division