Monday, April 6, 2009
2009 PHILADELPHIA GOLDEN GLOVES TOURNAMENT
VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSJAPY9GxPw
March 6, 2009 thru April 4, 2009
Front Street Gym, 2076 East Clearfield St. Philadelphia, PA
written by James “Ricky” Coward
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 skill’s 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 testiment 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 boxer’s to highlight in the competition (2 female &/ 2 male). One being 17 year old 132lb novice boxer Nicholas “Nico” Rodriguez, this was his very first amateur bout. He had been training for 4 years out of the Front Street Gym under trainer Howard Cupid. Rodriguez had plenty of family and friends at the fight to support him and he did’nt let them down; going out and stopping 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 & family.
, 
, 
Another young man, Travis “Baby Rex” Hollis Jr. was competing the same night in the 141lb 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 and fights than he, but, “Baby Rex” went out and performed like a true champion. After suffering a standing 8 count in the first 30 seconds of the bout, he steadied himself, settled in and went to work out boxing his opponent cleanly, over the next two rounds to get the 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 a he is a young prospect in the making at 141lbs 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 woman boxers, to start how about last years 138lb 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 8yrs now and has 14 fights under her belt, including 2008 Philly Golden Gloves Championship, 2008 Regional Championship and is ranked #2 in PA at 138lbs. She is very excited about the prospect of trying out for the woman’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 did’nt 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, NJ 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. She’s been training to box for about 2 years, and at age 23 display’s the talent and skill of a seasoned professional. Having had the opportunity to train and spar with top professional contender’s, including several world champions, she is came into this tournament ready to make her mark in the 119lb class. “La Chica Mala’s” 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 119lbs. She though, like Sharline Mendez, had won the battle out of ring and on April 3, 2009 was awarded the 119lb 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!
, 
, 


VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSJAPY9GxPw
March 6, 2009 thru April 4, 2009
Front Street Gym, 2076 East Clearfield St. Philadelphia, PA
written by James “Ricky” Coward
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 skill’s 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 testiment 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 boxer’s to highlight in the competition (2 female &/ 2 male). One being 17 year old 132lb novice boxer Nicholas “Nico” Rodriguez, this was his very first amateur bout. He had been training for 4 years out of the Front Street Gym under trainer Howard Cupid. Rodriguez had plenty of family and friends at the fight to support him and he did’nt let them down; going out and stopping 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 & family.
, 
, 
Another young man, Travis “Baby Rex” Hollis Jr. was competing the same night in the 141lb 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 and fights than he, but, “Baby Rex” went out and performed like a true champion. After suffering a standing 8 count in the first 30 seconds of the bout, he steadied himself, settled in and went to work out boxing his opponent cleanly, over the next two rounds to get the 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 a he is a young prospect in the making at 141lbs 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 woman boxers, to start how about last years 138lb 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 8yrs now and has 14 fights under her belt, including 2008 Philly Golden Gloves Championship, 2008 Regional Championship and is ranked #2 in PA at 138lbs. She is very excited about the prospect of trying out for the woman’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 did’nt 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, NJ 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. She’s been training to box for about 2 years, and at age 23 display’s the talent and skill of a seasoned professional. Having had the opportunity to train and spar with top professional contender’s, including several world champions, she is came into this tournament ready to make her mark in the 119lb class. “La Chica Mala’s” 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 119lbs. She though, like Sharline Mendez, had won the battle out of ring and on April 3, 2009 was awarded the 119lb 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!
, 
, 


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