Region I Golden Gloves Tournament

Just as the weather in Minneapolis has started to heat up so has Amateur Boxing action. At Uppercut Gym on Saturday night, seven Regional Champions were crowned, and one semi-final bout that was won by Uppercut boxer, Gizzy Hobbs at 141lbs.

This is a tournament dear to my heart as in I was fortunate enough to win it a few times myself and as I watch the boxers today giving all they’ve got it takes me on a walk down memory lane. Ryan Hamilton allowing me to write for LiveFromRingside.com not only gives me an opportunity to give back a little something to the program but offers me the gift of seeing all of the kids, coaches, officials and friends of this sport. My co-writer Liz Kapaun has been bitten by the boxing bug and often talks about how impressed she is with the effort, courage and skills displayed by these young athletes, we were not disappointed on Saturday night!

The night started out with a Masters bout and ended with a Region I Super-Heavyweight being crowned and in between some fantastic fistic action!!!!

1. Fritz Lotts (Upper-Cut) Masters Jack Kennelly (Upper-Cut)
Kennelly came out and established his jab early which can sometimes be difficult against a southpaw like Lotts. And although Lotts constantly pursued Kennelly it seemed to be the jab and reach advantage that was the difference. Kennelly by decision in 3.

2. Blake Freeman (St.Cloud) 85lbs. Haakon Deach (Upper Cut)
This bout seemed like they were in fast motion. Both Boxers came out throwing multiple combinations and trading punches, both were very busy. Deach ever the aggressor and Freeman persistently using his jab to score points, which proved to be the difference. Freeman by decision in a very close bout.

3. Delmar Robbins (Anoka) 125lbs. Sean Herlihy (Savage)
Both boxers entered the ring and looked lean and in condition in what looked like was going to be an interesting bout. But things turned quickly in Robbins favor as not even one minute into the bout. He landed a crushing straight right hand, obviously hurting Herlihy as he was visibly wobbled, while be given a standing eight count the referee wisely stopped the bout. Robbins by RSC 1.

4. Juliet Massie (Upper Cut) 175 lbs. Heidi Henriksen (Upper Cut)
From the opening bell these two wasted little time in trying to establish control in this bout. These two are from the same gym so there were few surprises as Henriksen, in only her third amateur bout, was able to repeatedly land the straight left hand from her southpaw stance deliver some punishing blows to Massie, who has no quit in her. After receiving two standing eight counts, the referee called a halt to the action. Henriksen by RSC 3.

5. Zack Bahr (Anoka) 106lbs. Ariel Shifman (Savage)
Talk about a walk down memory lane! Was this 1994 or was I watching Joel Bahr reincarnated? Zach displaying not only his father’s style but also his uncle’s tenacity started this one out fast and furious. But Shifman is a veteran and has some heavy hands. Sifman took the fight to Bahr landing meaningful punches throughout. Using his jab effectively and then landing some wicked straight right hands was the difference for Bahr. Bahr by decision in 3.

6. Mitch Gilb (St. Cloud) 145lbs. Armando Gonzalez (Upper Cut)
Two strong and determined boxers met for this one. With Gonzales landing some devastating right hands early I have to credit Gilb, he is like a Timex watch, he takes a licking and keeps on ticking!!!! Enough so that in the second and third round his aggression and constant combination punching prevailed!!!! Gilb by a very close decision in 3.

7. Max Clifford (Anoka) 141lbs (semi final) Gizzy Hobbs (Upper Cut)
WOW!!!!! Gizzy Hobbs told me he runs five to eight miles for his road work which he combines with a sit up regimen! It shows as he was able to throw repeated hard multi-punch combinations in succession against a very game and talented Clifford. Clifford seemed effective early with the jab and double jab but Hobbs can light you up with some serious power punching combinations and landed some very significant blows down the stretch hurting Clifford on more than one occasion. Hobbs by decision in 3.

8. Joe Suchy (White Bear) 145lbs. Tim Tu (Upper Cut)
Suchy, the southpaw, is a flashy puncher who has some great lateral movement, but Tu is patient counter puncher. Making Suchy miss and then landing blows of his own proved to be effective. This was a very close bout and as I was at ringside a bout I found hard to score. Tu by decision in 3 rounds.

9. Jesus Rivera (White Bear) 105lbs. Jamal Morris (Rochester)
While doing my pre-bout interview I was impressed with the calm confidence displayed by Rivera, a veteran of 40 amateur bouts. I liked the energy of Morris in the interview but wondered how with only 10 bouts he would deal with Rivera’s experience. Looking much older than the 13 years of age these to young men put on a great bout that was as strategic as it was action filled. Morris was very prepared and used his natural God given gifts like height and reach to nullify the crafting inside fighting and body punching of Rivera who is very slick and effective at short range. Utilizing a great set of long three punch combinations Morris wins by decision in 3.

10. Damon Lockman (White Bear) 105lbs. Nate Burkhalter (Rochester)
These two picked up where their teammates left off throwing punches in bunches from one end of the ring to another. Lockman has been active this year and it showed as he was able to get inside on Burkhalter. But in the end, Burhalter, who like his teammate before him displayed a beautiful left jab followed up by some sizzle on his right hand capitalized. Burkhalter by decision in 3.

11. Cameron Miller (White Bear) 145lbs. Payton Lee (Rochester)
Well every show puts on at least one slugfest and this was it! These two boxed as if they were 24 and 25 not 14 and 15 respectfully. Miller started early and as a veteran of 15 bouts, you could tell his plan was to get out in front of the more experienced Lee and to land some meaningful punches while assuming the lead and that is what he did. With the two of them exchanging some vicious shots at center ring and Miller getting the better of it. However, never underestimate experience and Lee after 45 bouts is confidently patient. In the second, the two drew the line both landing repeated blows to each other’s head and body and finishing the round with the feeling Lee pulled it out. The third started out much the same with both exchanging combinations but the pace started taking its toll on Miller and Lee was landing wicked right hands forcing the Referee to give Miller a standing eight count. In the end it was Lee who emerged as a clear winner. Lee by decision in 3.

12. Terrence Walker (COD) SHVY Aaron Green (Upper Cut)
The crowd was worked up as these two large men came into the ring and their own fans were going wild as the bell opened up round one. Green was the aggressor and was walking down Walker who was willing to give ground while trying to land combinations to the body. In the second the bout heated up with Green hurting Walker which seemed to wake him up and Walker landed blows to the head and the body with Green landing the harder blows and more of them. In the third Green established himself as the defending Champion and the 6th ranked Super Heavy-Weight in the country landing some big right hands much to the delight of the crowd, Walker returned fire but was quickly met with a return volley of punches forcing the referee to issue an eight count. Immediately after Green landed several more blows forcing the referee to stop the bout! Green by RSC 3.

Declared Champions: 114 Jonathan Perez, 123 Francisco Noyala, 132 Migueal Dominguez, 152 Delorian Caraway, 165 Robbie Loyde, 201 Brent Anderson.

Jamal Brown and Gizzy Hobbs will box for the 141lbs spot at the Region 2 tournament at Brunettes Gym on March 20 and the 21st.

While taking in all of the action, the boxing scene and the event Liz and I were reminded of just what it took to put on a regional tournament. (I have been there) and other than all of the boxers, the coaches who spend countless nights training them and the gyms we were struck by the effort of some of the volunteer officials who donate their time to this program. Liz talked to Bobby Brunette who although he is an accomplished amateur and professional referee was there donating his time as the ring announcer (did a great job by the way) about his work with amateur boxing. He said “ I boxed as an amateur from the late 60’s until 1979 both as a Junior and Senior and then had a couple of professional fights before becoming a referee in the mid 80’s”. He went on to say “I volunteer my time because this program that has meant so much to myself and my family over the years would not be possible without the volunteers so I am giving something I received back”!
In talking to Vern Sweeny who has been judging amateur boxing for 58 years, he mentioned that last year he logged over 18,000 miles in travel to officiate boxing. He told me he likes the people and has already Judged at 5 National Tournaments in the last year!!! When I asked him, why do you do it? He said, “When I was a young man I hung out with a tough crowd, but I was a boxer and I think boxing saved my life, so I am giving something back”.

Ryan I hope you let Liz and I keep writing for you because frankly for every reason listed above and the wonderful walk down memory lane, but it is the people associated with this program that make this the most special sport of all!

“Reporting live from ringside, for livefromringside.com”

Todd Tbone Webb & Liz Kapaun>