NATIONAL SILVER GLOVES – The 2009 National Silver Gloves championships were contested, February 5-7, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence, Mo. The annual event showcases many of the nation’s top 10-15-year-old boxers as they vie for a national title. All of the competitors in the three-day event earned their spot in the National Silver Gloves by competing in local and regional qualifiers before advancing to the national level..
The Silver Gloves often provide an early showcase for future stars of the sport, and seven of the nine 2008 United States Olympians competing in the event before moving on to the senior level.
Forty-five champions were crowned over the weekend with six 2008 titlists repeating the feat in 2009. The 2009 National Silver Gloves champions are:
10-11-year-olds
55 lbs: Juan Aguilar, Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
60 lbs: D’Angelo Sandate, Arvada, Colo.
65 lbs: Jordan White Waldorf, Md.
70 lbs: Zimmie Dickinson, Waldorf, Md. (defending champion)
75 lbs: Ruben Villa, Salinas, Calif.
80 lbs: Miguel Alcantara, Los Angeles, Calif.
85 lbs: Gabriel Rojas, Lancaster, Calif.
90 lbs: Wrylee Padilla, Rock Springs, Wyo.
95 lbs: Eric Chavez, Aloha, Ore.
100 lbs:Cesar Pineda, Hillsboro, Ore.
110 lbs: Angel Alba, Cudahy, Calif.
115 lbs: Quintayse Samples, Atlanta, Ga.
12-13-year-olds
65 lbs: Nico Hernandez, Wichita, Kansas (defending champion)
70 lbs: Amery Zavala, Corona, Calif.
75 lbs: Armando Mercado, Pueblo, Colo.
80 lbs: Christian Bermudez, Brooklyn, N.Y.
85 lbs: Aujee Tyler, Waldorf, Md.
90 lbs: Daniel Ramirez, Richardson, Texas (defending champion)
95 lbs: Hector Valdez, Dallas, Texas
100 lbs: Heriberto Ramirez, Richardson, Texas
106 lbs: Luben Erickson, Orlando, Fla.
112 lbs: Gary Salazar, Fresno, Calif.
119 lbs: Tra-Kwon Pettis, Atlanta, Ga.
125 lbs: Darrion Lawson, Flint, Mich.
132 lbs: Kareem Martin, Clinton, Md.
139 lbs: Junior Younan, Brooklyn, N.Y.
147 lbs: Christopher Johnson, Birmingham, Ala.
165 lbs: Rodney Anthony, Paterson, N.J.
14-15-year olds
80 lbs: Gabriel Muratella, Fontana, Calif.
85 lbs: Stephen Fulton, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa.
90 lbs: Steven Ortiz, Philadelphia, Pa.
95 lbs: Trinidad Sanchez, Pacoima, Calif.
100 lbs: Steve Cross, Covington, Texas
106 lbs: Marshall Sanchez, Houston, Texas (defending champion)
112 lbs: Ray Ximenez, Dallas, Texas
119 lbs: Danyell Lynch, Buffalo, N.Y.
125 lbs: Ricardo Gallegos, Caldwell, Idaho (defending champion)
132 lbs: Manuel Rojas, Dallas, Texas
139 lbs: Semajay Thomas, Chicago, Ill.,
147 lbs: Angel Bojado, Los Angeles, Calif.
156 lbs: Damian Howard, St. Louis, Mo.
165 lbs: D’Mitrius Ballard, Temple Hills, Md.
178 lbs: Jerry Odom, Bowie, Md.
201 lbs. Lamar Richards, Philadelphia, Pa.
201+lbs: Robert Coons, San Diego, Calif. (defending champion)
Unopposed champions
10-11-year-olds
50 lbs: Jerome Williams, Washington DC
12-13-year-olds
60 lbs: William Dierksheide, Huntsville, Texas
178 lbs: Damien Rico, Los Angeles, California
201 lbs: Eduardo Duran, Detroit, Michigan
14-15-year-olds
70 lbs: Detek Slater, Lima, Ohio
75 lbs: Melik Elliston, Denver, Colorado
USA Boxing Gym of the Month
The Victory Boxing Club in Omaha, Neb., is USA Boxing’s Club of the month. Founded by former professional boxer and current minister, Rev. Servando Perales, the Victory Boxing Club provides a ring of refuge for young people in South Omaha.
A former gang member who admits he terrorized the streets of South Omaha, Rev. Perales now provides a positive alternative for young people through boxing. Head Coach John Determan and Perales teach more than boxing; they are mentors for the young people who come to the gym everyday. There are strict guidelines for the boxers who train there, which include no swearing or gang activity as well as respect for themselves and others and maintaining good grades in school.
The gym relies mainly on the donations of others, sponsorships and grants for its operating budget. Yet the Victory Boxing Club was dealt a tough blow in the summer of 2008 as storms drove the boxers and coaches out of its facility. However an anonymous individual who believed in their important mission of changing the lives of young people and providing a positive environment for kids in the area. The benefactor has provided Victory Boxing Club with a 10,000 square foot building.
The faith-center boxing club routinely houses 30 kids a night, keeping them off the streets and focused on a positive goal. Yet the teachings of Determan, a former cop and Perales reach beyond a jab and uppercut. They took 20 inner city kids on their first camping trip and participate in city events such as the annual Cinco de Mayo parade. Through their new facility, the Victory Boxing Club is able to host local shows and participate in community outreach events, such as the Omaha Police Weed and Seed program.
Numerous police officers make time to visit the gym to meet the boxers and build relationships with the community’s young people. While they have enjoyed success in the ring, including 2007 Junior Olympic national champion and number four ranked flyweight Johnny Determan; their measuring stick extends beyond wins and losses.
Determan and Perales believe that being mentors to their boxers outside of the ring as is critical to their success as serving as coaches. They take pride in seeing their athletes succeed in every area and have taken pride in seeing gym members go on to college and into the military.
USA vs. IRELAND DUAL ROSTER RELEASED
Twelve United States boxers will travel over the pond to Dublin, Ireland, for the USA vs. Ireland Dual, February 27 and March 2. The boxers representing the United States will be light flyweight Louie Byrd (Denver, Colo.), flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio), bantamweight Ernesto Garza (Saginaw, Mich.), featherweight Raynell Williams (Cleveland, Ohio), lightweight Eric Fowler (Montgomery, Texas), light welterweight Charles Watson (Johnson City, Tenn.), welterweight Javontae Starks (Minneapolis, Minn.); , middleweight Aleem Whitfield (Geneva, N.Y.), light heavyweight Siju Shabazz (Las Cruces, N.M.), heavyweight Paul Koon (Philadelphia, Pa.) and super heavyweight Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) Female champion Queen Underwood (Seattle, Wash.) will join the men’s quad as the lone female competitor. Underwood will battle Ireland’s world champion Katie Taylor in international dual action.
USA BOXING ANNOUNCES 2008-09 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
USA Boxing provides annual scholarships to its athlete members. The recipients were announced on February 2. The USA Boxing Foundation awarded a total of $33,000 from the Thomas “Sarge” Johnson Scholarship Fund to 23 deserving college students. Of the 23 recipients, 12 are receiving the scholarship for the first time, while the remaining 11 are continuing with the program. The recipients represent 16 different local boxing committees with Allegheny Mountain being the most represented, having three students receive funding. Scholarships are available to USA Boxing members who have three consecutive years of membership and are not based on performance in the ring.
The 2008-09 recipients are Luis Arias (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette University, Business Management); Caroline Barry (Colorado Springs, Colo./College of Management and Technology – Walden, Masters in Business); Tahree Carroll (Philadelphia, Pa./Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Respiratory Care); Arturo Crespin (Las Vegas, Nev./New Mexico State University, Undecided); Tiaryn Daniels (Palm Bay, Fla./Brevard Community College, Sports Medicine); Tommy Duquette (Waltham, Mass./Mass Bay Community College, Undecided); Donna Gallardo (Milwaukee, Wis./Milwaukee Area Technical College, Electrical Engineering); Andre Henry (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Francis College, Pre Med); Brittany Inkrote (Red Lion, Pa./York College, Criminal Justice); Jack Maine (Elwood City, Pa./Slippery Rock University, Elementary Education, Special Education); Luis Mora (Los Angeles, Calif./California State University, Los Angeles, Sociology); Willie Padilla (Rock Springs, Wyo./Western Wyoming Community College, Secondary Education); Kevin Pearson (Fort Pierce, Fla./University of Florida, Family, Youth, and Community Sciences); Joseph Radunzel (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette University, Accounting); Jeremy Ramos (Colorado Springs, Colo./Pikes Peak Community College, Physical Education); Tracy Rollins (Homewood, Ill./Roosevelt University, Undecided); Jose Saenz (Kansas City, Mo./Rockhurst University, Accounting/CPA); Michael Schreckengost (Imperial, Pa./University of Pittsburgh, Administration of Justice and Kinesiology); Joshua Stone (College Park, Md./University of Maryland, Architecture); Samuel Suska (Pittsburgh, Pa./Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Health and Physical Education); Herman Taylor (Knoxville, Tenn./University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Business); Shawn Weyer (Stillwater, Minn./North Dakota State University, Business and Certification for Massage and Chiropractor); Christian Williford (Lafayette, La./University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Secondary Education)
ALUMNI NEWS
Two 2004 United States Olympians recorded professional victories over the weekend with 2004 Olympic champion Andre Ward (Oakland, Calif.) winning a unanimous decision over Henry Buchanan in Leemore, Calif. , on February 6 and junior middleweight Vanes Martirosyan (Glendale, Calif.) claiming a unanimous decision over Billy Lyell on February 7. 2008 Bantamweight Olympian Gary Russell, Jr. (Capitol Heights, Md.) will return to the ring for his second professional fight in a four round featherweight match-up with John Wampash.
Ashanti Jordan Returns March 7
Golden Boy Promotions undefeated heavyweight prospect, Ashanti “The Boss” Jordan (7-0, 6 KO’s), is scheduled to return to the ring, March 7, 2009 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose Ca, on the HBO Boxing After Dark triple header, featuring Robert Guerrero, James Kirkland and Victor Ortiz.
A former three-time San Francisco Golden Gloves champion, Jordan, makes his way back to the Bay Area as he faces a stiff challenge in Hermann Binek (7-1, 6 KO’s). Known for his tremendous knock out power, Ashanti also has the rare ability to box and move laterally.
When asked about fighting near his hometown of Fairfield Ca, an excited Jordan stated, “Ever since I turned pro back in 2007, I’ve always wanted to fight in the Bay Area. Come March 7th that will become a reality. I’m looking forward to this big event and I’m pumped up about fighting near my hometown. I have a ton of family and friends that will be making the trip. I’m working hard and I’ll be ready to go.”
Tickets for this hard-hitting event, priced at $200, $100, $60 and $25 are on sale at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster ticket outlets or by calling 408.998.TIXS, 415.421.TIXS or 510.625.TIXS.
This explosive event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines. Doors open at 3:00pm and the first bell rings at 3:30pm. The HBO Boxing After Dark telecast begins at 10:00pm ET/PT.
Verquan “The Show” Kimbrough inks with Capital City Boxing.
Kimbrough 20-1-2(7 KO’s) ranked #15 in the WBA at lightweight signed a multi-year contract with Capital City Boxing, based in Albany, N.Y. “The Show” last fought Sept. 25 2008 versus Michael Clark formerly of ESPN’s TV series “The Contender” in a action packed crowd thriller that ended in a draw. Kimbrough will step back into the ring in late March to defend his NABA Title.
Bobby Gunn to Fight for Vacant NABA Cruiserweight Championship against Brad Gregory!
Hackensack, NJ – On February 25, Bobby “The Celtic Warrior” Gunn will attempt to win his 7th title belt as well as advance himself in the world Cruiserweight rankings. Gunn, the current WBC USNBC champion, will now be fighting for the vacant WBA NABA Cruiserweight crown. A victory could help him surpass other credible contenders while moving him one step closer to another fight with an elite 200 lb fighter.
In Gunn’s way is Brad Gregory 11-2 (9 KO’s), a Kansas native whose two losses were against much bigger and stronger opponents. Gunn is excited about the prospectus of winning another title but knows he must be at his best in order to do so.
“I know Gregory has been fighting as a heavyweight, so I have been sparring with 6’7 260 lb (38-0 contender) Faruq Saleem, who is pushing me to the max” said Gunn, who resides in Northern New Jersey. “I feel great and have the energy of a 15 year old kid who just guzzled a Red Bull. My trainers Aroz “Terrific” Gist and Tommy Brooks are two of the best in boxing, so I am not only feeling like a champion but am training like one too”, said the former WBO title challenger.