It’s hard to imagine two chess pieces participating in a boxing match.

Though the games are outwardly different, ISU Boxing Club coach Terry Dowd said they are more alike than people think.

“There are a lot of things to learn in boxing. Boxing is just not standing in front of someone and swinging; it’s like a chess match,” Dowd said. “You have to make the boxer find you. And if he is a boxer, you work around him and make him, work too.”

Along with the mind games Dowd is teaching, training for the ISU Boxing Club has been different, with more running, sparring, jump roping and harder workouts. The intense training is a result of the National College Boxing Association Regionals nearing.

The association will have its Midwest regional tournament in Louisville, Ky., on March 4 and 5. The ISU Boxing Club is sending three boxers — Chris Gonzalez at 125 pounds, Ryan Allan at 156 pounds and Tony Sims at 165 pounds.

The Midwest regional meet is not new to Allan. Last year he won the regional in the 156-pound weight class.

“I expect [this year’s regionals] to be good. It won’t be such a new experience,” Allan said. “I will just go in with the mindset that I am just going to do my best, just knowing what I need to do.”

Allan has a 4-1 record at Iowa State, with his one loss against Nick Carter of the Naval Academy at nationals last year. Allan said he is ready for all challenges, including Carter.

“I love the adrenaline once in the ring,” he said. “In our region, the Naval Academy is a tough team, but there are new guys every year.”

After the Midwest regional meet, the club will focus on the NCBA National Meet on April 1 and 2 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The boxer that wins his weight class in the regional tournament advances to nationals. An alternate also has a chance of moving on.

Dowd said the reason he is taking only three of his boxers is because he likes them to have experience before they fight in competitions. Although this is Sims’ first semester with the club, he has experience in the ring.

“I started boxing when I was 7 years old,” said Sims, a six-time state champion. “My stepfather was the boxing coach in Davenport.”

Last year Sims fought in the Silver Gloves — the Golden Gloves tournament for those under the age of 17 — and was rated eighth in the nation. This is his first year competing in the National College Boxing Association, and he said he is confident the previous experience will aid him.

Along with Allan, who made nationals last year, the club has had high achievements. There have been 23 national champions, as well as 43 All-Americans in the club’s 25-year existence. As a team, Iowa State has won the Midwest regional three times.

“We will do well down there. As a team we’ll probably end up third or fourth,” Dowd said. “Ryan and Tony should both win. But it doesn’t always end up that way. They are good boxers and good kids. Chris, I think, may end up being an alternate. He is just learning, but [he is] an awfully good boxer.”