Colorado Gloves Regional Team
Colorado's Best at 119 pounds, Tommy Atencio!
The Colorado State Golden Gloves Tournament came to a close
last night as champions were crowned in seven A-class bouts. They will
move on to the regional tournament in New Mexico, April 17th. Before the
bouts began, Larry 'The Pit Bull' Gonzales, Donald '2-Slick-2-Quick' Camarena
and Russell 'Stoner' Jones were called into the ring. Gonzales will be
taking on Joey Brixx in New Mexico this weekend in Albuquerque, April 10th.
Camarena has his first title shot for the Canadian-American-Mexican regional
belt against a come backing Lupe Gutierrez. He will be fighting the main
event of a Fox Sports televised card in Billings, Montana on April 24th.
Jones will be fighting an up and coming prospect in New York later this month.
There were two female championships to start the A Class
championships. Chantel Cordova beat Natalie Gray in a very close one that
many felt Gray may have won. Amarena Baca continued her winning ways
beating Melissa Barela.
At 119lbs Torrence Daniels, of the World Class Athlete
Program (WCAP) in Colorado Springs, used his experience and speed to win a
decision over Tommy Atencio of Atencio Boxing Club. Daniels finished 2003
ranked #4 in the US and just missed a bid to represent the USA in the Olympics.
Daniels used his jab and speed combos to get Atencio into his game plan.
Atencio did very well in holding his own against the vet even winning the third
round on the RMB card, but the experience was just too much to overcome, as
Daniels began 'teeing off' on Tommy in the corner forcing Ric Ericsson to give
him a standing eight count in the final round. Atencio has very sound
fundamentals and I was impressed with how many punches he caught and blocked on
his arms and elbows, but could definitely use more head movement to
complete his defensive package. Atencio is a great amateur prospect and
will continue to improve with time and experience.
The 125lb bout was evenly matched and featured Ricardo
Sandoval and Robert Vigil, also of Atencio Boxing Club. Sandoval looked
committed to going to the body and did well with it. Vigil on the other
hand used 'punches in bunches' to slow Sandoval's attack and win each round on
the RMB card.
At 141lbs there was a mismatch as newly turned open Matthew Chavez took on Keith Mason of WCAP. Mason finished 2003 ranked 3rd in the US and has been at it awhile. Chavez, who fights for St. Joe's PAL Boxing Team, has been boxing less than two years and showed real skill and determination in his semi-final bout. Mason was just too much for him, at this point and stopped him in the first round.
Marvin Cordova dominated Brad Jackson, of Touch 'Em Up, over
four rounds for an easy decision victory. Early on Cordova found a home
for his left hook and landed it time and time again throughout the bout, giving
Jackson a standing eight early in the round. I thought after the first
that it would be over early in the second, but to Jackson's credit he showed
heart and determination in making it to the final bell. Not to mention a
rock solid chin, as Cordova landed very heavy shots all night. Cordova has
real talent and skills, he is definitely one to watch for and I believe he will
go very deep into the national tournament. He could join Larry Gonzales as
Coloradoans with National Golden Gloves titles.
And just an observation, my humble opinion, because honestly I didn't even notice, and it surely didn't matter, but someone at the show asked my opinion about it. No one who is related to the boxer in the ring, in any way, should be asked to be involved in the official's side of the bout. They should be extended the respect to cheer for their boxer freely from the crowd because I think family involvement is essential in amateur boxing, as you will see later. I also believe this should include trainers, coaches and their significant other as well, i.e., I don't believe Mr. V-How's wife should be forced to officiate any bouts involving boxers trained by Shann or the 20th Street House of Pain, any more than Marvin Cordova's mother should be put on the spot as an official for her son's bouts. I believe they are both great officials but I think we are hanging the officials out to dry by exposing them to the inherent criticism. I can only imagine the problems it may cause on the ride home. Anyone who knows Mr. V-How knows how passionate he is about the sport. If he felt one of his boxers got a raw decision, in an advancing tournament with his wife judging the bout, that could become a long ride home. I think we should avoid the entire controversy by eliminating the problem. I personally think that in these situations, the officials are probably more critical on their own boxers, which can create a prejudice of sorts against their own fighter! I think it honestly puts the boxer's at a disadvantage and can essentially jeopardize the integrity of the entire tournament. Just my opinion.
The 165lb bout featured Anthony Turner (AT) 'duking it out' with Ricardo Reyes of the Pueblo Stylers. AT is trained by one of Colorado's best in Trevor Wittman and will be making some waves in the pro ranks after finishing his Golden Gloves run. Reyes came out in the first and did very well, winning the round as he was both accurate and busy. AT looked to be 'loading up' for big shots. In the second AT got on track and his power took over. He began trapping Reyes on the ropes and in corners while unleashing furious flurries to the body and head, leading Muggsy Berzoza to give Reyes a standing eight count in the third. When asked if he wanted to continue Reyes shook his head no, stopping the assault. AT has a professional style so his chances in the national tourney could be limited. As a side note, this bout was the last for long time official Muggsy Berzoza who has given over thirty years to boxing, he will surely be missed. Thank You Mr. Berzoza. Also be sure to watch his show on DCTV-59, 'Pound-4-Pound' on Wednesday nights.
The 178lb bout really got my blood boiling. DeAndrey Abron, who is always ranked in the US and is an excellent fighter, showed absolutely no class in winning his bout over Maurice Louishomme. The first round was mostly 'feeling out' as both boxers were very cautious. They got going in the second and Abron quickly took over with power shots. In the second Abron hit Louishomme in the back of the head sending him to the canvass. Before referee Don Ericsson could get between them, Abron hits him with another vicious punch, only it was to the middle of his back while Louishomme was down on one knee, but wait it gets worse. In the third Louishomme looks determined and comes out and does very well even stunning Abron with a nicely timed overhand right. Abron finished the bout with right hand of his own, a crusher really, and was able to land a hard body shot before gravity could get Louishomme to the floor, very impressive. What got me hot was after the bout Louishomme goes to Abron's corner offering congratulations and Abron deliberately turned his back and refused to shake his hand. I first thought maybe it wasn't intentional but later when Louishomme walked across the ring a second time with his hand extended I saw Abron do it again, very intentional! I couldn't believe the unsportsmanlike conduct from Abron, a military man. ABSOLUTELY NO CLASS AT ALL, PERIOD. This simply has no place in sports and especially in the respect driven fight game. I personally hope he finds an early exit from the tournament and from the Colorado amateur boxing scene. If there was something I missed please accept my apologies.
The last bout of the evening was at 201lbs, with Augustine
(Auggie) Bautista, from the Dream Team, matched up against Jason Grimaldo
of Hard Knocks boxing in Longmont. The first round saw Bautista land a
hard right hand that stunned Grimaldo, momentarily. Grimaldo fought back
tough and won the round on the RMB card. The second was a better round for
Bautista as he was busier and landed the more effective blows in winning the
round. Despite Grimaldo's sound skills I thought Bautista might take over
as he was beating him to the punch early in the round. Grimaldo came back
strong and landed a hard right hand left hook combo that was perfection.
Both men utilized the jab in the fourth and Bautista made his final stand in
landing a right to the body followed by a hard hook to the head. Grimaldo
shook it off and stayed busy enough to win the round and bout., despite the loud
'Auggie, Auggie' chants. Auggie has nothing to hang his head about as
he has really come a long way since that first day he came down to St. Joe's, I
remember like it was yesterday. He was outta shape and well over 250lbs or
somewhere there about. He has since dedicated himself to boxing and it
really shows. He is now fighting under 201lbs and his skill level has
improved tremendously. His time will come, believe me, the hard work will
pay off Auggie.
The Outstanding Junior boxer was Hank Borunda, the Outstanding Novice was Vincent Castillo, the Outstanding B-Class boxer was William Thalley, The Outstanding A-Class was Marvin Cordova, the Outstanding female was Chantel Cordova, the Sportsmanship award went to Jesus Noriega and the team trophy was taken by Hard Knocks Boxing out of Longmont. Mr. V-How and the 20th Street House of Pain had a very good tournament as well.
I also wanted to take a moment to give my own personal opinion about something, just an observation mind you. I have to say that I believe the boxers here in Colorado are having their opportunities taken away unfairly and are being hindered in their progress as boxers because of the World Class Athlete Program, WCAP, in Colorado Springs. I couldn't help but be sad and feel sorry about a young, very talented and truly the best COLORADO had to offer this year, Tommy Atencio. Tommy has boxed his entire career here in Colorado and represented Colorado at every level of competition from local club financing and supporting 'smokers' (yeah I know they are now called shows but I like 'smokers' better) , to every national tournament you can imagine, with the exception of the class he entered this year, Open or A class the tier. He has helped finance this local boxing chapter, LBC, in exchange for gaining his experience to make it to the national level. I feel he was 'robbed' of this opportunity that he has earned, so to speak.
I do not take any thing away from Torrence Daniels or any of the WCAP athletes they are all very talented boxers and represent the Army extremely well, although I did not like the 'unsportsmanlike like conduct' by Abron. They do their job. Which by the way I have to say I feel makes them, in my humble opinion, Professional Boxers by trade, financed and promoted by the government, who nonetheless seems to be reluctant to try to clean up the sport, apparently on any level. Maybe I am wrong but I believe their primary job in the military is the WCAP, and like I said I could be mistaken so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Each year the WCAP 'invades' the Colorado tournaments and takes away the opportunities that our boxers deserve. They fight from eight years old to seventeen and 'Go Open,' and then get their chance taken by someone who is really from some far away state and is here on assignment of sorts. Like I said I do not want to take any thing from the WCAP and I have a very simple solution. Why not just give the entire team an automatic bid to the national tournament? Eleven weight classes only and if you participate in the WCAP trials you can not box in Colorado's tournament. Allow these boxers to go back to their home state's tournaments as every one should be allowed to compete. And no residency issues if you are in the military. If the boxer doesn't claim a home state then wherever the boxer was from before entering the military can be used. I think it's simple. More importantly I think it's very fair, especially to our home grown Colorado boxers. If not maybe some Colorado boxers who live closer to the Wyoming border should think about invading that tournament. But what do I know?
If anyone knows how to reach Jeanne DePriest or John Ulibarri please ask them to send me the complete results.
or
Go to The Fight Fans Forum and Post your Comments!
