By: Austin Killeen – Ringside – April 3, 2016      Photos by Jerry G. Angelo

(Click on thumbnails for larger images.)

The road to becoming a New Mexico State Golden Gloves Champion was bumpier for some competitors than others. If you were the only competitor in your weight division, you showed up Sunday and collected your hardware. If you happened to be in the 152 pound division, the road was loaded with mine fields. By the end of the day eight young men posed for the team picture as members of the 2016 New Mexico State Golden Gloves Team. On Sunday these eight young men were the best in their respective weight divisions and no one will ever be able to take that feeling of pride away from them.

Bout #8, Open, 201+ Gustavo Gonzales (TNT) won by UD over Herman Ortiz (Castro/Torito Boxing). This was a clinic on the importance of the left jab. The taller Gonzales has a solid left jab and threw it often. The shorter, stocker Ortiz never figured out how to deal with it, losing a unanimous decision. In the middle of the second round, Gonzales damaged his right shoulder (possible rotator cuff injury) and was reduced to being a one armed fighter. It was questionable if he would answer the bell for the final round. Obviously he did, capturing the state title and a date in the regionals.

Bout #7, Open, 201 lbs. Lorenzo Benavidez (Power & Glory) won by SD over Miguel Delgado (King of Kings). Entering the ring it was obvious that Delgado had a significant height advantage over Benavidez. If Benavidez stands five feet six, he’s probably standing on a phone book. Add to this that he looks about fourteen and you form the impression that he entered the ring by mistake. But for three rounds he left little doubt that he belonged in the championship.

In the opening round, Benavidez employed a swarming attack against his southpaw opponent landing some brutal body shots with both hands. Delgado created space in the second round, scoring on Benavidez before he could get inside. The contest was up for grabs entering the final round. Somebody must have drawn a line in the sand, because both fighters elected to go toe-to-toe for seemingly three minutes. Once again Benavidez scored to the body with some sizzling punches, while Delgado scored with some success to the head. The referee had to pull the battlers apart at the final bell. This was a fun fight to watch and the little train that could (Benavidez) is moving on to the regionals.

In the 178 pound division there were no entries.

Bout #6, Open, 165 lbs. Gabriel Perea (Los Vatos) won by UD over Brandon Montoya (Los Tigers). This was a difficult contest to score. In the opening round Perea had more touches behind a nice left jab, but Montoya had the power. Montoya dominated the second round with some powerful combinations and aggression. Perea was in charge most of the final round behind his jab and movement, but Montoya staged a mini rally in the final thirty seconds with his heavy hands. The verdict was unanimous but this contest was close.

Bout #5, Open, 152 lbs. Adam Marquez (Duke City Brawlers) won by SD over Clinton Chavez (DR Hideout). This was a close exciting bout in which both combatants showed some skills. In the first round the taller Chavez worked behind a solid left jab to control the action. Marquez wasn’t standing around, landing some hard shots to the head and body. In the second round there were some exciting exchanges, with Chavez looking comfortable on the inside. Once again Marquez landed some nice 1-2’s effectively.

The toe-to-toe action continued in the final round, with Marquez appearing to get the better of it. This was a spirited contest, with both boxers in excellent shape. I had Chavez on top but the judges saw it differently. Ironically, I had Chavez losing the previous night in a match that was awarded to him. Marquez would be voted the “Fighter of the Tournament” at the end of the program. I witnessed both of Marquez’s wins, and I would not want to be on the receiving end of his body attack.

Bout #4, Open, 141 lbs. Marcus Ewing (TNT) won by UD over Abel Vera (Team Roswell). This contest held my interest for personal reasons. I’ve known the likable Ewing for several years and Vera stayed at my house during the tournament. Ewing had the greater experience but Vera has some serious power. At the opening bell Ewing flew across the ring, trapping Vera on the ropes. Vera, a southpaw, responded with a two punch combination that appeared to rock Ewing. For much of the round Vera chased his rival around the ring looking to end matters early. In the final minute Ewing started to get his act together.

Ewing took over in rounds two and three, hooking over Vera’s shoulder, landing straight rights, and rapidly creating angles of attack. Vera appeared confused and stopped firing bombs. Ewing’s experience paid off as he was able to make adjustments each time Vera tried to turn the tide of battle. I’m looking forward to seeing Ewing perform in the regionals. 

In the 132 pound division Jaime Aguilera will represent New Mexico. Aguilera was the only entry in this division.

Bout #3, Open, 123 lbs. Aaron Perez (Perez Boxing) won by UD over Jose Molina (TNT). You could make a compelling argument that Perez has been the best P4P amateur boxer in the state for the last two years. Apparently no one has ever expressed that opinion to young mister Molina, because he acted like the title was his for the taking. Using side-to-side movement, Perez would feint to the body but score to the head. Molina was determined but the first round belonged to Perez.

Perez continued to dominate the second round but late in the round Molina landed a nice left hook and over hand right and was starting to come to life. In the third round Molina was able to trap Perez on the ropes and unload to the head and body. Perez displayed his defensive magic, but the round belonged to Molina. I’ve been watching Perez for three years now and Molina gave him as good a fight as I’ve seen. I agreed with the verdict, but was very impressed with Molina; this young man has talent.

Bout #2, Open, 114 lbs. Zachariah Johnson (Power & Glory) won by UD over Braulio Trejo (Unattached). Johnson, a southpaw, tried to exploit his height advantage to control the action. Although he touched Trejo often, it was his rival who landed the harder punches. It was a close round that I gave to Trejo. In the second round Johnson started landing overhand lefts and right hooks to capture the round. Both boxers unloaded in the third round, Trejo on the inside with solid combinations and Johnson with uppercuts and counter punches. I had Trejo on top in a close one but my score card doesn’t count. Zachariah Johnson will be headed to the regionals.

Over the past four years I’ve seen Trejo fight on a half dozen occasions and he has never won. Not because he lacks ability, he has just had the misfortune of meeting very gifted opponents. His only consolidation is most of those bouts have been the fight of the night. Trejo should get a court order barring me from attending his fights.

Bout #1, Age 15/155 lbs. Marcus Hernandez (Barron Boxing) won by SD over Rudolfo Sauzameda (TNT). This bout opened the program and it was a beauty. Hernandez has a nice bob-n-weave style, allowing him to slip punches and counter. Sauzameda created distance and was successful at times catching his opponent coming in. This resulted in three rounds of action, forcing both boxers to dig deep in search of victory. Both combatants had bloody noses, the result of many sharp exchanges. I agreed with the verdict, as I had Hernandez winning a close fight.

This was my fourth year covering the golden gloves tournament and as in the past found the experience rewarding. I can’t say enough about the time and effort that goes into making the event a success. Without the unpaid volunteers, the boxers would not have the opportunity to develop their skills. My only disappointment is the lack of participation. I come from New England and they have twenty champions crowned in the golden gloves each year; ten in the open division and ten more in the novice class.

I would also like to thank Jerry Angelo who was my camera man at this year’s event. Jerry was born and raised in the “Duke City” where he played football at Eldorado High School and college. He graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1999. For the past five years Jerry has lived in Hollywood where he is pursuing a career in movies. He’s making a living, but is searching for that breakout role that will define his career. He loves boxing, scoring a first round KO in an amateur contest four years ago. So it didn’t take much effort to get him to take pictures this weekend.

To the New Mexico golden gloves team of 2016, good luck in the regionals.