Last month, Woodland native David Delgado took the first step in his boxing career when he competed and won his first professional bout.

On Nov. 16 in Redwood City, the 21-year-old boxer and 2022 Woodland High School graduate earned the win in the 115-pound super flyweight class against Corian Powel out of Texas via a first-round knockout.

“I think my first bout went pretty well,” Delgado said. “I wasn’t that nervous. I did what I needed to do. I knew I trained right, so I wasn’t surprised it was a first-round knockout. My training had me really confident in myself.”

Delgado mentioned getting his first professional bout under his belt was great but is excited to keep adding wins to his 1-0 record.

“I know a lot of people box, and everyone is good, but until you actually go pro, then you can say you are good,” Delgado said. “It’s really crazy to think that I am a professional now, but I’m just excited to keep going. I knew I was going to turn professional this year, and the Nov. 16 date just aligned.”

Westside-Promotions, who put on the bout, signed Delgado after a referral from a teammate at Golden State Bloodhounds, a boxing gym in Sacramento.

Before turning professional, Delgado had a final go at the Team USA Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Games during the USA Boxing Olympic Trials in late 2023 in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Delgado won his first fight against Kenario Davidson, a boxer out of Alabama, via a three-round unanimous decision. However, in the quarterfinals, he’d lose to the eventual winner of the 112-pound weight class, Terry Washington, via a unanimous decision.

“Overall, it was a good experience,” Delgado said. “I learned a lot. These are the best dudes in the United States, and I hung in there with them. It just proved to me that hard work pays off, that I am good, and that the harder I work, the better I’m going to do.”

Delgado thanked everyone from Woodland who has supported him throughout his professional journey. He also previewed his next bout, which will occur sometime in February. The location has yet to be decided.