Brunettes Boxing Show Results

The east side of St. Paul was experiencing some warm May temperatures of close to 90 degrees. But that was nothing like the scorching heat inside the ring at Brunettes Gym at the East Side Rec Center. The show featured 10 exciting bouts with boxers from eleven gyms participating. Two gyms came from Wisconsin and their boxers as well as the others gyms boxers displayed the kind of heart and sportsmanship that we are accustomed to in the Golden Gloves.

All Photo's by: Joey Garcia

The show came off without a hitch and as usual most of the time I run into Al Brunette and his lovely and able bodied co-hart Jackie Camak there is bound to be fistic fury and again this show did not disappoint.

#1.  Thomas Grammond (River Falls WI) 142Lbs. Irvin Freeman III (Brunettes Gym)

It was the first time either of these boxers had competed and there was a feeling out period during the first round that quickly ended in the second round as Freeman applied pressure slipping Grammond’s jab and landing two significant combination’s. In the third round Grammond stormed back backing up Freeman which proved to be the difference. Grammond Wins by dec.

#2.  Bryce Koenig (Believers Boxing)  100Lbs. Tyler Zoromski (Community Boxing)

This was a classic battle between a tall boxer with a good jab (Zoromski) and a shorter boxer wading in and applying pressure (Koenig). As Zoromski scored repeatedly with straight long shots Koenig waded in and to the crowds delight would land effectively with both hands when ever able to get inside. In the end the reach made the difference with Zoromski effectively outscoring Koenig. Zoromski Wins by dec.

#3.   Zach Hamlin (MN Boxing)   100Lbs.   Haakon Deach (Upper Cut Gym)

These guys have crossed paths in the past so they were not unfamiliar with each other. I covered their last bout and this started off like it was round four instead of a new bout. These two are tough young guys who really come after each other and this one was no different with a very close first round. In the second round, Deach started to effectively land combinations and one of them bloodied Hamlin’s nose but it did not slow him down a bit. In the third, Deach came out strong backing up Hamlin and further blooding the nose but Hamlin dug in and got the crown going by digging in at the end of the round and landing his own combinations which always is an indicator of an individual’s character. Deach is a good boxer and his effective scoring gave him the nod. Deach wins by dec.

#4.   Katie Kaufman (Believers Boxing) 130Lbs. Brenda Kuechle (Gust Gym)

Prior to the bout starting and looking at the two of them I thought Kuechle not only looked bigger but physically stronger and in good condition. Do not judge a book by its cover, Kaufman looked smaller in stature but proved, as we see time and time again, heart and determination are the X factors in amateur boxing. Kuechle using a strong left jab trying to set up the right backed up Kaufman until Kaufman pulled a slick veteran boxing move sliding with the right hand of Kuechle and then snapping back with a counter right hand effectively landing some damaging blows. Kaufman then applied pressure with Kuechle throwing counters and the crowd engaging at the final bell. Kaufman was effective enough and Wins by 3.

#5.  Jacob Waltemate (Community Boxing) 125Lbs. Santiago Mendoza (Brunettes Gym)

This one started off like it was on a street corner on Payne Avenue with both guys throwing technique out the window with the intentions of doing damage with either hand. With Al Brunette imploring his boxer to “Box” neither guy wanted to give ground and the round ended as it began. In the second round they started off again banging away and then they settled down with Mendoza looking to land his big right hand and Waltemate being effective with the jab. In the third the tide turned as the early pace began to affect Mendoza and Waltemate was scoring effectively enough to score a standing eight count. That is what swung it with Waltemate winning by dec.

#6.   Rondale Hubbert (Fergus Falls)  150Lbs.  Jason Schaller (Rice Street Gym)

This was an interesting bout and not what I expected going in. Referee Dick Hannum let these guys work it out on the inside where even though there was some holding, low blows, elbows and head butt’s there was also an outside war going on with some very hard shots landed especially to the body by both men. Schaller the St. Paul Champion and Hubbert the Region 4 Champion engaged each other at close quarters for all three rounds in a rugged physical battle the difference being Hubbert’s cleaner inside combinations. Hubbert by 3.

#7. Cole Whitman  (Believers Boxing) 145Lbs. Dominic Suso (Community Boxing)

With both of these guys being somewhat inexperienced they made up for it with some good old fashioned grit. The crowd liked this one as both boxers displayed some discipline and some good fundamentals’ each effectively landing on the other one and the crowd responding with approval. By staying active and busy Suso was able to pull this one out.  Suso wins by dec.

#8.  Mark “El Majico” Pogorelskin (Horton’s) 119Lbs. Anthony Campillo (Brunettes Gym)

During the pre-fight announcements Pogorelskin  a former Upper-Midwest Champ gave a unique dance and looked like Prince Naseem Hamed and Campillo entering only his third bout was a cool as they come. When the bell rang it was Campillo doing the dancing and scoring with some incredible combination’s and with “Cat Like” reflexes capitalizing on Pogorelskin’s boring in and combination punching.  Pogorelskin came out in the second applying pressure and was met with a couple of devastating combination one capped off with a power jab that had the impact of a sledge-hammer sending Pogorelskin to the canvas.  Being in condition “Pogorelskin” arose only to be met with a couple of right hands.  In the third Campillo displayed skill and ring generalship closing strong, I have been around this game for over 30 years; I know a star when I see one this kid has the speed, the power and the finesse to be a great one.  Campillo wins by dec.

#9. Trevor Marmon (Horton’s )      145Lbs.  Elias Rubio  (Brunettes Gym)

This was a rematch of a bout a year earlier won by Marmon in a close decision. They had both been in the gym and had boxed since and this one had the makings of a battle. From the opening bell these guys both of which can bang with either hand, had toe to toe exchanges in the middle of the ring, had the crowd going crazy. Both landed meaningful punches. In the second round more of the same with Marmon starting to get the edge by landing more effectively in the exchanges. Then came the third and both men at center ring firing away when “BOOM” a thunderous left hook by Rubio separated Marmon from his faculties momentarily and he crumbled to the canvas. To his credit and his conditioning he rose under his own power with the referee wisely ending this one. Rubio wins RSC3.

#10. Nate Rubin (Brainerd Boxing)  135Lbs.  Jay Lee (Brunettes Boxing)

I have watched a lot of boxing in my day as well as boxed and coached but Rubin’s style is one of the most difficult I have ever seen. Coming out and literally switching equally as effective from southpaw to right handed Rubin throws hard straight punches while Lee who can either attack or counter was effectively scoring through-out and is a very capable infighter. The first was close with both men landing and maybe Rubin getting the edge, the second round was Lee again very close and very hard to score. Rubin seems to hold and hit but maybe not, he did not receive a warning and Lee will crouch real low sometimes with Rubin’s assistance, this was a very difficult bout to score and I found myself wondering who was ahead. The third saw Rubin land, the fourth saw Lee land very good inside punches. In the end the decision was Rubin’s with this being difficult to score and many in the crowd thinking it should have went to Lee. Rubin wins by 4.

Promoters A and Bobby Brunette. Matchmaker Bobby Brunette. Ringside Physician was Dr. Scott Benson. Judges & Referees: Dick Hannum WI, Scott Erickson, Dan Joyce, TC Lavelle and time keeper Bobby Brunette.

Reporting Live From Ringside, for livefromringside.com

Todd “Tbone” Webb

Photographers: Joey Garcia and Phillip Vega/Contact:st.wisegraphicz@yahoo.com