Silver Gloves Boxing Tournament results of November 13th
At Saturday's Silver Gloves competition Matthew Keammerer of the U.S. Marine Corps Boxing Team is shown swinging and missing the elusive Jose Martinez from the San Ysidro Peace & Freedom Boxing Club.
After a welcoming introduction, an opening prayer and the playing of a recording of the National Anthem sung by Jordin Sparks of American Idol fame, Carlos Barragan, Jr., the National City CYAC Director and tournament host, added the whimsical remark, “Now where else can you go and have Jordin Sparks sing the National Anthem for you?”
He might have added, “Where else can we go to watch a more entertaining boxing exhibition?”
No matter where these Saturday USA Boxing shows take place, you’re always guaranteed to become engulfed in the warm and fuzzy atmosphere of our local boxing community where you get to have a few laughs, meet and greet the tireless coaches, marvel at the improvements of their students and witness the return of an occasional boxing icon. This week it was Manuel “Mantecas” Medina on-hand to lend his support. The same Manuel Medina who has held versions of the World Featherweight title five times.
The tournament opened with 12 year-old Jesus Avila of Heber Boxing facing 13 year-old
After their tough match in Bout #1, referee Rick Ley, raises the arms of both Jesus Avila (left) and the eventual winner, Brian Martinez (right). Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Brian Martinez of the host gym, the National City Community Youth Athletic Center. From Round one through to the final round, Martinez was more on target. For Avila the wake up call came early after getting caught on the button by a solid left hook. By the third round it was jab, jab, overhand right to secure the victory.
After defeating Brian Solomon (left) of Pacific Coast Boxing, Russell Rivera of Rhino Boxing has his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #2 featured 16 year-old Brian Solomon of Pacific Coast Boxing going up against 17 year-old Russell Rivera of Rhino Boxing. Since both boxers are known for their incredulous activity level this was one of the most anticipated bouts of the day. In the first round Rivera surprised everyone by coming out slower than expected and being off target. Even though he ended the round with a flurry, it was too little, too late.
After receiving instructions from his coach, the Rivera of old returned to finish strong. There was no doubt about who took rounds two and three after Solomon’s nose began to bleed and he was issued two standing eight counts.
By way of thanking them for their terrific performance, referee Will White raises both the arm of Jesus Reyes (left) and the arm of the eventual winner, Juan Garcia (right). Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #3 featured 12 year-old Jesus Reyes of Pride & Glory going up against 13 year-old Juan Garcia of Heber Boxing. With the nonstop action and even exchanges in Round one, it was difficult to score. In Round two, Garcia gained an upper hand by staying more compact and landing the straighter more damaging blows. In the third round Garcia landed several crowd pleasing overhand rights to assure victory.
After his impressive victory over Enrique Lopez of Rhino Boxing (right), Luis Enriquez of the National City CYAC has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #4 featured 13 year-old Enrique Lopez of Rhino Boxing going up against 13 year-old Luis “Bones of Gold” Enriquez of the host gym, the National City CYAC. All three rounds went to Enriquez, the taller southpaw, who seemed to land at will with looping lefts and short rights. Each time Lopez tried to get in close, Enriguez moved to his opponent’s left, away from the counter right.
After his victory over Jorge Ocegera of Heber Boxing (right), Rodolfo Ortigoza of Penacho Boxing (left) has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #5 featured 11 year-old Rodolfo Ortigoza of Penacho Boxing going up against 10 year-old Jorge Ocegera of Heber Boxing. Even though Ortigoza has more experience, Ocegera hung tough in the opening round and matched his opponent blow for blow. By Round two and three, Ortigoza began landing the cleaner shots, especially the overhand rights to insure victory.
After his victory over Luis Cortez of the U.S. Institute of Amateur Athletics (right), Jason Rivera of Rhino Boxing (left) has his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #6 featured 12 year-old Jason Rivera of Rhino Boxing dressed smartly in Team USA boxing trunks, similar to the ones Apollo Creed wore in Rocky 1. Rivera’s opponent was 13 year-old Luis Cortez of the USIAA, the United States Institute of Amateur Athletics. Even though Cortez kept pressing forward, he paid dearly when Rivera countered. Rivera also put on a defensive display by ducking under blows and showing better than average head movement.
After his impressive victory over Antonio Carignan of USIAA (left), Antonio Moreno of the National City CYAC (right) has his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #7 featured 16 year-old Antonio Carignan of USIAA going up against 15 year-old Antonio Moreno of the host gym, the National City CYAC. From the outset, Moreno was consistent with his double jabs and damaging overhand rights. Before the bell sounded to end Round one, Carignan was issued a standing eight count. In Rounds two and three, Moreno became even bolder and landed blows from a variety of angles.
After his tough battle with Eric Puente of Pacific Coast Boxing (right), Molano Diego (left) has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #8 featuring 11 year-old Eric Puente of Pacific Coast Boxing and 11 year-old Molano Diego of Rhino Boxing was one of those nightmare bouts for the judges. The fists flew so fast no ticker could keep up. In the end the victory was awarded to Diego who managed to outlast his opponent.
After his impressive showing against Juan Vazquez of Chula Vista Boxing (left), Brandon Venegas of Heber Boxing (right) has his arm raised in victory by referee Will White. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #9 featured 14 year-old Juan Vazquez of Chula Vista Boxing going up against 13 year-old Brandon Venegas of Heber Boxing. Venegas took round one after giving Vazquez a boxing lesson. His sharp counters eventually led to an eight count being issued to Vazquez. Round two and three were more of the same, as Venegas demonstrated his overwhelming superiority.
After his battle with Gerardo Lopez of Rhino Boxing (right), Michael Tran (left) of the Undisputed Fitness & Training Center of El Cajon has his arm raised in victory by referee Rick Ley. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #10 featured another southpaw 26 year-old Michael Tran of the Undisputed Fitness & Training Center of El Cajon going up against 17 year-old Gerardo Lopez of Rhino Boxing. Though he managed to take round one, it appeared Lopez was never really on track for this battle with the difference in their experience levels and the fact that Tran was a lefty. In the closing rounds, that experience shown through.
After their all out battle, James Morrow (right), a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Ca. and Manuel Vazquez (left) of Chula Vista Boxing await the judges decision which eventually went to Vazquez. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #11 featured 18 year-old Manuel Vazquez of Chula Vista Boxing going up against 20 year-old James Morrow of the U.S. Marine Corps Boxing Team on Camp Pendleton. Although this was Morrow’s first boxing show with the new team, he looked impressive, especially with his strong jab and occasional overhand right. After becoming winded, he made the mistake of going to the Joshua Clottey coverup which allowed Vazquez to stack up the points.
In a critique of Vazquez’s performance, he became too preoccupied with being a head hunter and missed his opportunity to work the body where he could have accumulated even more points. All the same, Vazquez won the bout quite impressively.
While referee Will White untangles the boxing medals, the winner of Bout #12, Tristan Alvarado of North County Boxing (right) and Daniel Morales of the Gutierrez Boxing Gym await their distribution. Photo credit: Jim Wyatt
Bout #12 featured 14 year-old Tristan Alvarado of North County Boxing going up against 15 year-old Daniel Morales of the Gutierrez Gym in South San Diego. As in past bouts, Alvarado came out firing and backing his opponent up. Nearing the close of the first round Morales was issued an eight count and then two more in Round two. Before long, the referee stepped in, called an end to the contest and once again Alvarado was awarded another RSB, Referee Stops the Bout.
After their battle in the Bout #13, referee Rick Ley raises the arm of the victorious boxer Jose Martinez of the Peace & Freedom Boxing Club of San Ysidro who defeated Matthew Keammerer (right) a member of the Marine Corps Boxing team on Camp Pendleton.
Bout #13 featured 17 year-old Jose Martinez of Peace & Freedom of San Ysidro going up against 22 year-old Matthew Keammerer of the U.S. Marine Corps Boxing Team on Camp Pendleton. Even though his coach assured me that Martinez had only been in the gym for six months, you got to wonder. His punches were quick, sharp, and right on the mark. In the second round Keammerer was issued a standing eight count and another followed in the third round after he lost his mouthpiece. The winner of this bout was never in doubt.
