The Main Street Boxing Club (310 Main Street, New Rochelle) had a difficult two weeks in the New York Golden Gloves competition. Nine fighters were eliminated from the tournament and three advanced to the next round. While most of the losses were close fights, the decisions were, for the most part, considered fair verdicts.
On February 9, three Main Street fighters were eliminated from the tournament in close decisions. Kevin Rooney, Jr. lost to Jeremy Humphrey of Gleason’s Gym in the 165 lb. Novice Division. According to Head Coach Ryan O’Leary, Humphrey “threw tons of punches”, while Rooney held back,”looking for one shot.Humphrey simply outscored him.” Alejandro Ramirez lost to Eduardo Valle of the New Legend Boxing Club in a very close decision in the 152 lb. Novice Division. “Alejandro started well, but slowed down”, said O’Leary.Valle picked up the pace and did enough to get the nod. O’Leary was less happy with the decision handed to Mikey Brogan in his 152 lb. Novice Division contest with Frank Castillo of the Elmcor Boxing Club. “Mikey was hit by an impressive looking left hook at the start, but he blocked it and countered well. Mikey outpunched him and did better.” Nonetheless, he accepts that giving the decision to Castillo was not unreasonable, as the fight was close.
On February 10, the two Main Street fighters in the 201+ lb. Novice Division left disappointed from the arena. Dwayne July lost a decision to Wieslalo Zagaya of Team Free Form.July was at a distinct height disadvantage to the 6’7” Ivan Drago doppelganger. According to O’Leary, July had difficulty getting inside Zagaya’s reach, but when he did, “he did damage. Zagaya used his height and reach advantage to throw his jabs. It was close.” In the other contest, Malla Fauntin appeared to be no match for Gary Burrell of Gleason’s Gym…in a bodybuilding competition. Once the hostilities began, Fauntin was able to work inside the 6’5” Burrell’s reach and landed more frequently with the cleaner punches. According to O’Leary, Burrell’s blows were landing on the back of Malla’s head and the judges may have been influenced by the size differential. Yussel the Dybbuk (see article from 2/8/2011) was definitely in the ring when the decision for Burrel was announced. O’Leary filed an official complaint.
On February 11, the three Main Street fighters departed from the competition. Adam Ricciardi lost in the 165 lb. Novice Division without having thrown a punch. Despite winning earlier in the week, he was given only three days between bouts. As he had a pre-arranged business meeting out of town, he had to drop out of the tournament. Kevin Martin lost in the 165 lb. Novice Division to Marc Cheatham of Suffolk PAL in a battle of counterpunchers. There was little action, but O’Leary felt Kevin hit him with the better punches. Cheatham knocked down Martin with a right cross in the third round, and Martin stormed back aggressively. While the knockdown theoretically should not have been of greater value than a clean punch in amateur scoring, it probably influence the judges in the decision for Cheatham. Kristjan Dushaj lost in the 165 lb. Open Division to Kenny Chou of Church Street Gym in an exciting contest. According to O’Leary, “both fighters landed punches. The bout was evenly matched; the decision just didn’t go our way.”
Anthony Pegues (see 1/2/2011 article) brought the losing streak to an end on February 17 at the Elmcor Recreation Center in Corona, Queens with a decision over Rush Miller of Gleason’s Gym in the 178 lb Novice Division. Miller is tall and has long arms, and used his jab effectively, creating difficulties initially for Pegues. Eventually blocking the jabs, Anthony launched an effective body attack in response. In the third round, Pegues had his opponent hurt. Michael Fava was not as fortunate in his 178 lb. Novice Division bout that night. Fava began well but ran into trouble after a combination by Leonard Colsan knocked Fava’s headgear over his eyes. Fava ducked his head into an oncoming right uppercut from Colsan and was knocked unconscious for the ten count (see Sergio Martinez-Paul Williams 2 for professional facsimile). While not remembering the knockout, Fava was deemed in good condition by the ringside physician before leaving the ring. He has since returned to his gym routine but will not be allowed to spar for at least one month. It remains to be seen how Fava responds as each concussion can follow its own course. Aaron Rodgers sat out 14 days and led his team to the Super Bowl. Jason Bay of the Mets and Sidney Crosby of the Penguins have struggled mightily after their recent concussions.
Two fighters advanced into the quarterfinals of their divisions after receiving byes. Bryan O’Connor (see 1/26/2011 article) advanced in the 141 lb. Open and Bryant Cruz (see 1/9/2011 article) advanced in the 132 lb. Open. Both expect superior competition from this point onward. To this point only one Main Street boxer has been scheduled to compete this week. New Rochelle High School Senior Colleen Moriarity will make her debut this Wednesday, February 23 in the 125 lb. Female Division. The show in which she is competing begins at 7:30 PM at Justice Sotomayor Center, 1000 Rosedale Ave, Bronx. Her opponent will not be announced until then.
To inquire about membership in Main Street Boxing and Fitness or any of its various exercise programs, call 914-636-2811 or contact owner Michael Stellate at michael@mainstreetboxing.com or Ryan O’Leary at ryan@mainstreetboxing.com.
