2009 Philadelphia Golden
Gloves Tournament
by James "Ricky" Coward
April 5, 2009
(APR 5) The City of Philadelphia is a
boxers paradise. There are boxing gyms in just about every part of the
City, a haven of sorts to help keep city kids off streets and out of
trouble. The Front Street Gym in Philly is no different, a boxing gym
among many, with a history of producing tough, skilled professional
fighters some of whom have gone on to be top contenders and world
champions. Most of the boxer’s if not all before turning professional,
had one thing in common, they competed in the annual Philadelphia Golden
Gloves Tournament.
The annual Golden Gloves Tournament has a rich tradition in
Philadelphia, PA. Since it’s inception in 1967, the competition has
produced numerous local, state and national golden glove champions. For
those having the privilege to take in the competition, you would find
that the amateur boxer’s competing in the tournament are no different
than the professional fighter’s coming out of city, They are just as
tough, with talent and skills to match. I have to admit that as a
professional and amateur boxing coach myself, I was very impressed with
the level of talent these young men and women displayed in competition.
I think it is a testament not only the boxer’s abilities, but to the
level of coaching being conducted. I saw some very good technical boxing
taking place in the ring, with a number of boxer’s looking very polished
and professional.
I picked out a few of the
boxers to
highlight in the competition (2 female / 2 male). One being 17
year old 132 lb. novice boxer Nicholas “Nico” Rodriguez. This
was Rodriguez's first amateur bout. He had been training for 4 years
out of the Front Street Gym under trainer Howard Cupid.
Rodriguez had family and friends at the fight to support him
and he didn't let them down. Rodriguez stopped his opponent 1:13
seconds into the second round, and advancing to the novice championships
on March 27, 2009.
This was a huge win for Rodriguez who had just lost
his uncle to a work related accident earlier in the week and had to bury
him earlier the same day of his fight. This young man showed poise in
the ring and used controlled aggression and a very nice array of punches
to get the job done. Congratulations to “Nico”, his trainer and his
friends, and family.
Another young man, Travis “Baby
Rex” Hollis Jr. was competing the same night in the 141 lb., novice
class. This would be his second trip to the Philly Golden Gloves
in three years. He came in with a record of (1-1 1KO) and having
had the opportunity to train him along with his father and
coach, Travis Hollis.
I was confident that he would compete very
well in the tournament. The young man he faced had considerably more
experience. After suffering an standing eight count in the first 30
seconds of the bout, he steadied himself, settled in and went to
out boxing his opponent cleanly. Over the next two rounds, he gained a
victory and advance to the novice championships on March 27, 2009.
Travis “Baby Rex” Hollis Jr. won the Silver Medal in the finals in a
performance that many, including myself felt he won. But that is amateur
boxing today. Either way he is a young prospect in the making at
141 lbs., and for “Baby Rex” the journey is just beginning. He is in his
senior year of high school in Pine Hill, NJ. Congratulations to him and
his family.
Now for a few of the women boxers.
To start how about last year's 138 lb.,
Philadelphia Golden Gloves Champion, Sharline Mendez. This young lady, 17
years old, boxes out of the Phoenixville PAL, in PA. She has been
boxing for 8 years, now and has 14 fights under her belt,
including
2008 Philly Golden Gloves Championship, 2008 Regional
Championship and ibis ranked #2 in PA
At fighting at 138 lbs., she is very excited about the prospect of trying out
for the women’s boxing team for the 2012 Olympics. Mendez according to
her father and trainer Charlie Mendez has been training very hard for
this tournament and is ready to step into the ring and defend her title.
But as it turned out she didn't have to, at least not in the ring, she
ended up winning the city championship again by walk over and advances
to compete in the PA regional championships.
Congratulations to Sharline,
her coach and her family and we wish her much continued success on her
quest for the regional, state and national crowns and also for her
Olympic endeavors.
Last but not least is a young lady originally from Queens, New York, and
now boxing out of Pennsauken, New Jersey, by way of T-Rex Boxing Club. This young
lady has become a youtube sensation of sorts due to her “Mayweather
Style” of training and the sheer skill
she brings into the ring. Jessica
“La Chica Mala” Maldonado is on a mission, she wants the title of “2009”
Philadelphia Golden Gloves Champion.
Maldonado has been training for
about 2 years, and at age 23, displays the talent and skill of a
seasoned professional, having. had the opportunity to train and spar with
top professional contenders, including several world champions.
Maldonado
came into this tournament ready to make her mark in the 119 lb class.
Her hard work and dedication were evident at the first
(initial weigh-ins/ match-ups 3/1/09) and second weigh-in the night of
her scheduled bout (3/21/09), where she came in right on point at
119 lbs.
She though, like Sharline Mendez, had won the battle out of ring
and on April 3, 2009 was awarded the 119 lb Philadelphia Golden Gloves
Title by way of walk-over---her opponent failing to make weight.
A
disappointment for “La Chica Mala” not having the opportunity to get in
the ring and showcase her boxing prowess, but hopefully she will have
the opportunity to do so as she advances to the regional championships
on April 18th. Congratulations to Jessica “La Chica Mala” Maldonado, her
coach (who happens to love her very much) and her family and friends.
I want to congratulate Camden Boxing Academy's Head Coach Chris Williams
along with all of there Boxer's for winning and advancing to the
championship’s in both the novice and open class. Keep up the great work
Chris, you got some talented fighters and it's obvious that the training
they are getting is on top notch!! I want to commend all the coaches and
boxers out there competing in the Philadelphia Golden Gloves tournament,
I saw a lot of talent in the ring over the last four weeks, so America
look out there’s a new wave of amateur boxing stars on the rise, and
some of them are from your own neighborhood!
Date of event: March 6, 2009 thru April 4, 2009
Location: Front Street Gym, 2076 East Clearfield St. Philadelphia, PA
