Golden Gloves Semifinals: Ringside Roundup
By Kate Gardiner in News on Apr 6, 2009 9:00PM
Chicago. Boxing. Golden Gloves. Semi-finals. Over here at Chicagoist we've been spending a lot of time thinking about the ancient sport, sparring and well, creative ways to mask the smell of the city's dark, sweaty gyms.
Highlights from Friday's semi-final bouts:
- Derek Zugic defeats friend and opponent Mike Jiminez for a spot in the final round of the 178 Open division. The pair threw punches down to the final bell during an electric bout that got the crowd on its feet, screaming. Zugic is known for his eccentric personality ... And his hair...The pair hung out after their bout to watch the final two rounds - including...
- Junior Wright (Loyola) defeating Armando Pina (Pina), in the last bout of the night. Wright holds the 2008 165 Open title but moved up to the next weight class this year. Wright was obviously a stronger fighter Friday night but he has his hands full with Zugic, currently ranked ninth in the country at the championships. And since there were 36 girls entered into the Gloves this year... there were semi-final bouts Friday night, in the 119-pound division.
- Tiny but mighty lady fighters Tiffany Perez (119-pound) and Echo Sneed fought early in the night. Crowd favorite Perez won the 2007 and 2008 Chicago Golden Gloves, and is expected to carry on to nationals. She, and finalists in at least 25 divisions will fight in the finals April 17 & 18 at St. Andrew's Gym (Addison, at Paulina).
Highlights from Saturday's Bouts
While drama and violence is generally encouraged, drama outside it - especially between staff members is rare. And usually behind the scenes - except, apparently, at the Golden Gloves where an argument between the announcers erupted into a spitting match. The incident, while embarrassing for all involved, had little impact on the fight in the ring, though one bystander, watching the simultaneous altercations, said, "Wow, the fight's as good out of the ring as it is inside."
In the meantime, more than 20 bouts took place Saturday night. The results are still pending release from the Gloves at this point, but the thing we were most surprised to learn was that the much-anticipated Rollins v. George Carter, 24, (Galesburg, Ill.) bout was canceled - and Rollins passed through to the championship. It seems that Carter, whose Golden Gloves luck has been consistently awful (he's yet to win the title because of emotional and physical traumas every single year he's been eligible) has come down with a serious throat infection and couldn't fight. Rollins will face Ramon Valenzuela, the second of a trio of successful Chicago boxing brothers.
Valenzuela, during his Saturday bout, defeated Paulie Littleton, much to the chagrin of an arena of chanting fans. His win was on the heels of his brother's 152 Open win. Both men will fight in the championships the weekend of April 16-18. The third Valenzuela sibling, now 16, chose to finish his 2009 season as a junior and is expected to fight in the senior open in 2010.
Other highlights:
- Notre Dame's Mike Lee (175O) advanced to the finals. Lee, who has won the Bengal Bouts twice, is a senior captain on the school's team.
- The winner of the 106N title knocked out her competitor 10 seconds into the first round.
On Twitter? So're the Gloves: follow @312GoldenGloves for live updates ringside.
Ed's Note: For more of Kate's great pics, check our her full set from Friday here and Saturday here. - M.G.