Tag Archives: Michigan Golden Gloves

Area boxers punch tickets to nationals at Golden Gloves state finals Saturday

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan,
Gentle Gibson won the 132-pound open state title, defeating five-time state champ Aneudy “Junior” Rios. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

The final night of the 2024 Golden Gloves produced plenty of epic matches as state titles were on the line as well as trips to the Golden Gloves National Tournament for winners in the novice divisions.



Several West Michigan boxers are among those headed to the national tournament in Detroit after coming away with state titles at the finals that took place at the 4 Mile Showplace.



All open division boxers advance to the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions from May 13-18 at Huntington Place in Detroit.

Twins Mike and Michael Guzman grab state titles

Two of those fighters come from the same household as twins Mike and Michael Guzman from Michigan Golden Gloves Association (MGGA) completed the `Guzman takeover’ by winning state titles.

Mike Guzman won his title by coming away with a decision against Joshua Riley of Flint Town Boxing in the 139-pound novice final. Mike’s brother Michael earlier won his title in a walkover at 125 pounds.



Mike Guzman (pictured) won a state title at 139 pounds, while his brother Michael won a title at 125 pounds. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)

“I said when the tournament started that it would be a Guzman takeover,” said Mike Guzman. “It feels great. It went exactly as I predicted it would.”

Guzman kept a constant pressure on Riley throughout the bout that included plenty of body shots.

“My plan was to go to the body,” Guzman said. “If you kill the body the head will die. I just wanted to keep hammering away at the body.”



Guillermo Mercado won a fourth state title with his win at 112 pounds. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



A pair of MGGA veterans also added to their collection of state titles as Guillermo Mercado won a fourth state title, while Ulysses Campos won a fifth state title.

Mercado won the 112-pound novice title in a big way as he defeated Joseph Swartz of Riverside Sports Academy when the referee stopped the bout in the second round.

Mercado came out applying heavy pressure in the first round and had Swartz in trouble at the end of the first round. Mercado continued the barrage in the second round before the referee stepped in and stopped the bout.

“This one was the most important one,” Mercado said. “This is my last year as an amateur and I wanted to go out with a knockout. I am going to make my pro debut after the nationals and I wanted to win this one to go out in style. This couldn’t have gone any better.”

Campos claimed his fifth state title when he claimed a decision against Jaylen Nichols of 475 Elite. The match was a slugfest throughout with the taller Nichols presenting a challenge to the veteran Campos.

“This feels pretty good,” Campos said. “No matter if it is the first one or the fifth one, it always feels great to win an open division title. He (Nichols) had some reach and he’s an experienced fighter. He knew what he was doing in the ring. I knew I had to do work on the inside and stay busy.”  

Gentle Gibson gets first win over “Junior” Rios to advance

One of the premier bouts of the evening came in the 132-pound open final. That was where five-time state champion Aneudy “Junior” Rios was looking to win a sixth state title against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo. Rios defeated Gibson in the West Michigan finals last week and also defeated Gibson at both the Michigan and the West Michigan state finals last year. In a bout that featured non-stop action from start to finish, Gibson came away with the decision to claim his first-ever win against Rios and earn a trip to the national tournament.

“He beat me three out of four times and every one of them were close,” Gibson said. “He has made me a better fighter. I respect him a lot. They say iron sharpens iron and that is what we’ve been for each other. This is the first time I’ve beaten him and this was the one for all the marbles. I would rather have lost to him last week than this week.”

EGR graduate Wyatt Alvarez wins first-ever state title

Another rematch from last week’s West Michigan finals came at 165 pounds where Wyatt Alvarez of PK Boxing won a decision against Michael Lynn III of Team Glass of Lansing. Like last week, the two boxers put on an entertaining show with plenty of punches thrown. Alvarez, a 2023 graduate of East Grand Rapids, however, applied more steady pressure and came away with the win.



East Grand Rapids graduate Wyatt Alvarez won his first-ever state title at 165 pounds in the open division. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



“I knew he would come out and put the pressure on,” Alvarez said. “I knew I had to respond with a lot of pressure and throw a lot of punches. I just had to keep on punching.”

After winning his first-ever West Michigan title last week, Alvarez added a state title and is headed to Detroit for nationals.

Also claiming open titles were Nicholas Young of Flint Town Boxing at 156 pounds, Solomon Jagun of Gideon Boxing at 203 pounds and Sardius Simmons of Ultimate Boxing Club at heavyweight.

A total of nine elite novice championships also took place to start the evening of boxing off.

Forest Hills Eastern grad Nasier Harris gets state title at 156-pound novice

In one of the most exciting novice matches, Nasier Harris of MGGA hooked up with Gohan Estevez Marte of PK Boxing in a rematch of the West Michigan finals at 156 pounds. In what proved to be another three-round slugfest that resembled their last bout, Harris again came away with a decision.



Forest Hills Eastern graduate Nasier Harris won the 156-pound novice state title. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



“It was a hard fight and I feel I could’ve done better,” Harris said. “He was a little more elusive this time and he put a little more pressure on me. I think that my jab made the difference for me. Winning this title feels great. I worked hard for this.”

West Michigan boxers also won novice titles at 132 and 139 pounds. At 132 pounds, Stephen Ramirez won a rematch when he claimed a decision against Davone Jones of Lansing Crown Boxing. At 139 pounds, DreAun Ellis of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club earned a decision against Vincente Jezrrel Mendoza Castro of Zuniga Boxing.

At 125 pounds, Daniel Espinoza of Bay City won a decision against Dominique Suggs of Flint Boxing Club. At 147 pounds, Joseph Gossett of Saginaw Boxing claimed a decision against Karon Cross of MGGA.

A pair of Lansing boxers also claimed novice championships. At 165 pounds, Ramadhani Haji of Team Glass won a decision against Keegan Morrissey of Gideon Boxing Club. At 203 pounds, D’Angelo Williams of Team Glass won a decision against Jaylen Milton-Cofield of Saginaw Boxing.

At 176 pounds, Kyree Wiggins of Flint Town Boxing won a decision against David Venn of Lansing Crown Boxing. In the novice heavyweight division, Devon Dear of Torque Boxing in Sault Ste. Marie made the long trip south pay off as he defeated Daonte Johnson of Riverside Sports Academy by a decision.

New venue next year

Local Golden Gloves fans also heard the news at Saturday’s finals that next year’s West Michigan and state finals will take place at Aquinas College Fieldhouse.

West Michigan Golden Gloves finals produces plenty of high-level contests

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Sports, Sports,
Michael Carbajal (left) and Mike Guzman staged the fight of the night at the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals at the 4 Mile Showplace. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

Championships were on the line Saturday night at the West Michigan Golden Gloves Finals and area boxers provided plenty of outstanding performances in front of a large and amped-up crowd at the 4 Mile Showplace.

The evening was highlighted by several high-octane bouts, but by far the most entertaining match of the 13-bout card was the battle for the 139-pound elite open title between Mike Guzman of Michigan Golden Gloves Association (MGGA) and Michael Carbajal of PK Boxing in Wyoming.

No strangers to each other, Guzman and Carbajal came into the bout having split their previous two meetings. With a West Michigan title on the line, the two boxers stole the show with a thrilling three rounds of boxing that saw both boxers unload big shots and flurries throughout. Time and time again the two fighters had the crowd on its feet cheering on the two pugilists who took turns delivering combinations and big right hands. In the end, Guzman had his hand raised in victory with a decision.

“He’s a brawler and I knew it was going to be a brawl,” Guzman said. “I tried to outbox him. He’s a tough fighter and I knew it was a going to be a battle of wills. It was a great fight, but I think my defense made the difference. I feel like I am built for this, but so is he.”



Mike Guzman won his second-straight West Michigan title. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



The West Michigan title was the second straight for Guzman who now sets his sights on winning a Michigan state championship next weekend.

“The job isn’t done yet,” Guzman said. “I want to win the state title.”

A fourth match between Guzman and Carbajal may be in the cards as both the winners and runner-ups from the West Michigan finals move on to the state finals where the top two placers from the East Michigan Golden Gloves make the trek west for the state semifinals and finals on Friday and Saturday. 

Another outstanding, action-filled bout took place in the 132-pound elite open final where five-time state champion Aneudy “Junior” Rios took the next step toward a sixth state title. Like Guzman, Rios faced a familiar face in the finals in Kalamazoo boxer Gentle Gibson. Rios defeated Gibson in both the West Michigan and Michigan state finals last year.



Aneudy “Junior” Rios is a five time state champ. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



Relying on his speed and quickness and in excellent condition, Rios came out pressuring Gibson the entire three rounds. Rios piled up the points with his steady barrage of punches, but Gibson kept busy himself firing off combinations and flurries that kept the crowd entertained for the entire three rounds. The pressure of Rios eventually made the difference as he won the match by decision.

“It feels great,” Rios said. “I did what I was supposed to do. I stayed mobile and I stayed busy. He’s a good fighter so I knew it would be a good challenge.”

Rios will most likely meet up with Gibson again in the state finals.

“Going into the finals this year I feel I am in way better condition and more confident,” Rios said. “I feel like my conditioning keeps getting better. I’ve always wanted to win six state titles. That’s my goal and that is what I’m going for.”

In all, a total of four open division titles were on the line. At 147 pounds, Ulysses Campos of MGGA won a decision against Malcolm Jones of PK Boxing. One of the most experienced and productive boxers in West Michigan, Campos came into the bout with a total of six West Michigan titles to his credit and four state titles on his resume.

Taking on a boxer with a mixed-martial arts background, Campos knew the match would be a challenge.


At 147 pounds, Ulysses Campos won a seventh West Michigan Golden Gloves title Saturday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



“Word on the street was he is a MMA fighter with a different style,” Campos said. “He was a little taller and he used his reach well. I used my experience and closed the gap on him and kept throwing punches. I think it helped that I was use to three-minute rounds.”

In the final elite open match Wyatt Alvarez of PK Boxing won a decision against Michael Lynn III of Team Glass of Lansing. The title was the first West Michigan title in his career for Alvarez.

A total of nine elite novice champions were also crowned during the card. One of the most entertaining bouts among the novices was between Forest Hills Eastern graduate Nasier Harris and Gohan Estevez Marte of PK Boxing at 156 pounds. Harris won by decision in a thrilling bout packed with plenty of action. He began to take control of the match in the second round and added a big third-round knockdown to help ensure the win.



Forest Hills Eastern grad Nasier Harris won the 156-pound novice title and the outstanding novice boxer award. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



“I figured him out about the middle of the second round,” said Harris, who won the outstanding novice boxer award. “I took control after that and got the knockdown in the third round. I was really hyped after that.”

At 147 pounds, Karon Cross of MGGA won a decision against Kolbe Lewis of TCB Boxing. A first-year boxer who graduated from Grand Rapids Innovation Central High School, Cross kept up the pressure to come away with the win in another bout that featured plenty of action.

“This feels really good,” Cross said. “I’ve been boxing for seven or eight months now. My trainer said I have made a lot of progress and he’s real proud of me.”

A pair of boxers from Sturgis came away with titles in the first two bouts of the card. At 125 pounds Gabriel Munoz Hernandez won a decision against Andres Hernandez Gomez. At 132 pounds, Stephen Ramirez captured a decision against Davone Jones of Lansing Crown Boxing.

At 139 pounds, DreAun Ellis of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club defeated Tiburcio Hernandez IV of the Eli J Boxing Club via a decision.

A trio of Lansing boxers also claimed novice championships. At 165 pounds, Ramadhani Haji of Team Glass won a decision against Isaiah Clay of Crown Boxing. At 176 pounds, David Venn of Crown boxing won a decision against Caleb Balsitis of MGGA. At 203 pounds, D’Angelo Williams of Team Glass won when the referee stopped the contest in the second round of his match with Jeremiah Simmons.

In the final novice division match, Victor Napoles of Holland Eli J Boxing Club won a decision against Brendan Campbell of Crown Boxing.

Boxing resumes this week with the Michigan Golden Gloves state semifinals on Friday and the Michigan state finals on Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m with boxing to begin at 7 p.m. at the 4 Mile Showplace.  


As usual, WKTV will be televising all five nights of this year’s tournament. Check this WKTV Journal Story to get dates and times.     

Area boxers set to shine as Michigan Golden Gloves action begins; state champ Junior Rios and Lee alum Michael Carbajal return

City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Local Sports, Sports, West Michigan, ,
Local boxer Junior Rios (right) and his coach Anbrocio Ledesma. Rios is a five-time state champion. (Courtesy, Junior Rios)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor



For area boxing fans it’s the best time of year as the action is set to begin in the Michigan Golden Gloves Association state tournament on Saturday, March 9.

Change is taking place this year as the Golden Gloves has a new venue for the third straight year. After taking place at West Catholic High School last year and previously the DeltaPlex, this year’s Golden Gloves championships will take place at the 4 Mile Showplace located at 1025 4 Mile Rd. NW.

While the exact number of boxers is still unknown as many register as walk-ups on the day of the fights, the numbers are trending up for this year.

“We have 60 fighters signed up so far which is a few more than last year,” said Brian Lentz of PK Boxing and the Golden Gloves. “There will probably be quite a few walk-ups as well.”



As usual, WKTV will be televising all five nights of this year’s tournament. Check this WKTV Journal Story to get dates and times. 

Familiar faces returning to Golden Gloves

Plenty of familiar names will be returning to the Golden Gloves this year including Junior Rios, a returning state champion, along with returning female state champions Sarah Batenburg of Hudsonville and Zoe Hicks of Lansing.


Female state champions Sarah Batenburg of Hudsonville (right) and Zoe Hicks of Lansing (not pictured). (Courtesy Photo)



For Rios, a five-time state champion, the end goal is winning a national championship. Rios lost a controversial decision in his opening bout at last year’s national Golden Gloves tournament and the loss has him focused on making it back to the national tournament and avenging that disappointment.

“I went to nationals last year and I felt I should’ve won my first fight,” Rios said, “but they took it away from me. I’m still holding a grudge from that. I was planning on turning pro last year, but I wanted a national belt. I decided to come back this year and give it one last shot and then turn pro.”

Rios will compete in the 132-pound open division, one of the largest weight divisions with at least six boxers already registered.

Rios enters this year’s tournament even more focused as he recently dropped a tough fight against Chris Young, a fighter from the Roy Jones Jr. boxing team in Florida.

“He was a pretty good opponent,” Rios said. “I lost that one, but that has made me even more hungry. I can’t wait to step into the ring again and fight even harder. I feel more confident this year and ready to go.”

Lee High School alum Carbajal returns

While Rios is an experienced boxer looking to add to his legacy, the West Michigan Golden Gloves is filled with fighters looking to make a name for themselves. One of those boxers is Michael Carbajal, a Lee High School alumnus who made his boxing debut at last year’s tournament.



Wyoming Lee alum Michael Carbajal made his boxing debut at last year’s tournament. (Courtesy Photo)

“I started training in September of 2022 and my first fight was February of 2023,” Carbajal said. “I will never forget that day. It was February 25, two days after my birthday. I won the fight in the third round and after the fight we went to Chicago to celebrate my birthday.”

Less than two months later, Carbajal had his first Golden Gloves match. While Carbajal lost in his first experience in the Golden Gloves, it taught him plenty and has him hungry to make his mark this year in the 139-pound open division.

“It was my first time in a Golden Gloves tournament,” Carbajal said. “It was something different. I was eliminated on the first day in my first match. It was the worst performance of my boxing career. I had a lot of personal issues I was going through at the time.


“Physically I was there, but mentally I wasn’t. Moving forward it was a big lesson learned. Every time I step into the ring I focus on boxing and not having any of those outside issues.”

Carbajal has picked up plenty of experience since last year’s Golden Gloves with nine wins and three losses, including winning five matches by stoppage while all of his losses have been by decision. Carbajal also has won his first two bouts while competing in the open division.

“I feel like I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in, both physically and mentally,” Carbajal said. “I feel like this is going to be my year.”

Win or lose, Carbajal is sure to be a fan favorite with his aggressive and attacking style that should win fans over.

“I come to put on a show”

“I’m an aggressive fighter,” Carbajal said. “I feel like I’m a fearless fighter and I’m always looking to apply pressure. Some people say I have an entertaining style. Three or four times I won the fighter of the night. A lot of fighters want to keep clean records and try to not get hit. I come to put on a show. The fans want action and power shots and that’s what I want to give them.”

Carbajal grew up a boxing fan watching professional fights with his parents Ranulfo and Andrea. 

“My parents loved watching the fights and I would watch with them,” Carbajal said. “We’d get the pay per view and watch Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao. I liked watching all of those fighters.”

These days, his father and brothers, Ranulfo Jr. and Efren, and sister Candi watch his fights in person although his mother would rather wait to hear the results.

“My mother watched my first three fights, but after that she just got really nervous,” Carbajal said. “She just waits for that call or text telling her how I did.”

Carbajal, who played a year of soccer while at Lee High School, got his start in boxing while there.

“Tom DeGennaro and Jim Jenson introduced me to Brian Lentz at PK Boxing,” Carbajal said. “I trained for a year, but never had a fight. I eventually left boxing, but then a couple years ago I took a friend’s son to PK because he wanted to get into karate. I ran into coach Brian and he asked if I wanted to get back into boxing. One thing led to another and I’m back and loving it.”

Carbajal, Rios and all of the other boxers now set their sights on winning West Michigan titles and then going for state titles with the ultimate goal of making it to the national Golden Gloves tournament.

WKTV Golden Gloves Schedule

The opening night of this year’s Golden Gloves takes place Saturday, March 9. Action continues with the West Michigan semifinals on Wednesday, March 13 with the West Michigan finals set for Saturday March 16. The Michigan Golden Gloves state finals also takes place at the 4 Mile Showplace with the state semifinals scheduled for Friday, March 22 and the state finals slated for Saturday, March 23. Bouts begin at 7 p.m. each day of the tournament with the doors opening at 6 p.m.

With the 4 Mile Showplace being a smaller venue, boxing fans are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible before they sell out.

Golden Glove boxing returns to West Michigan June 5, and WKTV sports coverage returns as well

3-bottom, Local Entertainment, Recreation, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports,
Golden Glove boxing action is covered by the WKTV sports coverage crew. (Supplied/from previous event)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Community Media has been a broadcast partner with Michigan Golden Gloves for more than two decades, and Bob Serulla has been the announcing part of the team all that time.

So, as the West Michigan Golden Glove Preliminaries begin this weekend at the DeltaPlex Arena, with boxing set to begin Saturday, June 5, at 7 p.m., Bob and the WKTV team will be back ringside as well.

“I started broadcasting boxing 22 years ago for WKTV, and we have built a great team of broadcasters and staff and we put on a first class show,” Serulla said. “It has been a great pleasure watching the young talent grow into professionals and seeing the difference boxing can make in a young life.

“Trainers and coaches that act as mentors for these young men and women should be recognized and thanked for their service to the community. It’s always a pleasure to interview a young fighter and give them a chance to gain confidence grow as a person.”

WKTV’s recording of the bouts of Saturday, June 5, will be rebroadcast on WKTV cable television on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse 99 on Sunday, June 6, at noon, as well as Wednesday, June 9, at 5 p.m. Video copies of WKTV’s coverage will be available for purchase by emailing kelly@wktv.org or calling 616-261-5700.

Tickets to the June 5 live event are available. The DeltaPlex Arena is located at 2500 Turner Ave. NW, Walker. For more information visit michigangoldengloves.com/events or call 616-784-0862.

The West Michigan Golden Gloves Championships will continue though June and into July, with WKTV there as well.

The West Michigan Semi-Finals will be Saturday, June 12, and airing Sunday, June 13, at noom, and Wednesday, June 16, at 5 p.m.

The West Michigan Finals will be Saturday, June 19, and airing Sunday, June 20, at noon,  and Wednesday, June 23, at 5 p.m.

The State Semi-Finals will be Friday, July 9, and airing Saturday, July 10, at 11 a.m., and Wednesday, July 14, at 5 p.m.

The State Finals will be Saturday, July 10, and airing Sunday, July 11, at noon, and Wednesday, July 21, at 5 p.m.

WKTV sports coverage team begins extensive Golden Gloves coverage March 14

Local Entertainment, Sports, Upcoming Events, WKTV Featured sports, WKTV Projects,
WKTV sports crew airs the annual Golden Gloves tournament each year. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

It’s Golden Gloves Boxing time!

WKTV has been covering the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament for more than 25 years. Again this year, we will be at the Grand Rapids DeltaPlex Saturday, March 14, for the West Michigan Preliminaries, with replays of the bouts on our cable channels the next day as well as on select days and times, and they will also be available on-demand at WKTVlive.org.

We will continue coverage through the State Finals in April.

The Deltaplex Arena is located at 2500 Turner Ave NW, Grand Rapids.

The tentative coverage days/times and replay plan includes: West Michigan Preliminaries, Saturday, March 14; West Michigan Semi-Finals, Saturday, March 21; West Michigan Finals, Saturday, March 28; the State Semi-Finals, Friday, April 17; and the State Finals, Saturday, April 18.

WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse 99 will show with tape-delayed airings of each evening’s bouts on the following day. For future broadcast schedule, check out our On-air Schedule.

WKTV begins spring high school sports (and more) with girls water polo

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Kentwood Public Schools, Sports, ,

Michigan Golden Gloves Boxing action will again be covered by the WKTV sports coverage crew. (Supplied)

Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director

sports@wktv.org

 

WKTV’s Mike Moll.

Many of the local schools have the first week of April off for their spring breaks, but after that, the spring seasons all pick up in full swing, mother nature permitting that is. The WKTV truck and crew will once again be visible at local events as they bring viewers a pair of girls’ water polo matches along with a softball game during the monthly schedule.

 

They will be busy outside of the local high school scene as well when they cover the GVSU Lubbers Cup, along with coverage of the Golden Gloves boxing. Be sure to check the weekly schedule to see when they will be broadcast.

 

Each will be broadcast live or replay on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.

 

The busy tentative April WKTV feature broadcast schedule with tentative day and time of broadcast, includes:

Tuesday, April 10, East Kentwood girls water polo vs. Zeeland West (Tuesday, April 17, at 11 p.m. and Wednesday, April 18, at 5 p.m)

Friday-Sunday, April 13-15, GVSU Lubbers Cup (Live Saturday, April 14, 10-noon and 4-7 p.m.)

Saturday, April 14, Golden Gloves Boxing (Sunday, April 15 at Noon)

Wednesday, April 18, Kelloggsville softball vs Tri-Unity/Calvin Christian (Friday, April 20, at 11 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, at 5 p.m.)

Friday, April 20, Golden Gloves Boxing (Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m.)

Tuesday, April 24, East Kentwood girls water polo vs. Portage Central (11 p.m. night of and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m)

Friday, April 27, Golden Gloves Boxing (Saturday, April 28, at 11 a.m.)

 

WKTV offers on-demand viewing of high school sports. (WKTV)

All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .

 

For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/

 

Following is the this week’s complete high school sports schedule:

Monday, April 9

Boys Lacrosse

South Christian @ Jenison

Boys Baseball

Hopkins @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

Girls Softball

Hopkins @ Godwin Heights – DH

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – DH

Girls Soccer

Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville

Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Aviation

 

Tuesday, April 10

Boys Baseball

South Christian @ Wyoming – DH

West Michigan Aviation @ Belding – DH

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood – DH

Potter’s House @ Barry County Christian

Girls Softball

South Christian @ Wyoming – DH

Cedar Springs @ East Kentwood – DH

Girls Soccer

South Christian @ Wyoming

Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian

Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian

Hudsonville Hornets @ West Michigan Aviation

Grand Haven @ East Kentwood

Hope Academy @ Potter’s House

Boys Golf

Calvin Christian @ South Christian

Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian

Girls Tennis

East Kentwood @ South Christian – Cookie Invite

Jenison @ Wyoming

Boys/Girls Track

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee

Middleville T-K @ Wyoming

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Girls Water Polo

Zeeland West @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event

 

Wednesday, April 11

Girls Softball

South Christian @ Caledonia – DH

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Unity Christian @ East Kentwood

Girls Tennis

South Christian @ Wyoming

Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville

Byron Center @ East Kentwood

Boys/Girls Track

South Christian @ FH Eastern

Boys Baseball

Godwin Heights @ Hopkins

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee

Girls Soccer

Hopkins @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville

Boys Golf

East Kentwood @ Grandville

 

Thursday, April 12

Boys Baseball

Wyoming @ South Christian

GR Crusdaers @ Wyoming Lee

Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary

Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian – DH

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Potter’s House @ Western Michigan Christian

Girls Soccer

Wayland @ South Christian

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Saugatuck @ Zion Christian

West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Boys Lacrosse

Muskegon Mona Shores @ South Christian

Boys Golf

South Christian @ Kent County Championships

East Kentwood @ Kent County Championships

Boys/Girls Track

Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights

Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins

NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville

Grandville @ East Kentwood

Girls Tennis

Muskegon Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian

@ East Kentwood – Quad

Girls Softball

Caledonia @ East Kentwood

Girls Water Polo

West Ottawa @ East Kentwood

 

Friday, April 13

Girls Soccer

Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights

Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Lee

NorthPointe Christian @ Zion Christian

Hudsonville Hornets @ Tri-Unity Christian

East Kentwood @ Northview

Boys Golf

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Boys Baseball

Zion Christian vs Potter’s House @ Cornerstone University

Barry County Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – DH

Girls Water Polo

East Kentwood @ Saline – Invite

 

Saturday, April 14

Boys Baseball

South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite

Godwin Heights @ Wyoming – Invite

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming- Invite

Union @ Kelloggsville – DH

Girls Softball

South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite

Boys Golf

South Christian @ Christian – Christian Invite

Kelloggsville @ Kenowa Hills – Wilson Classic

Girls Tennis

South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite

Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Invitational

Boys/Girls Track

South Christian @ Unity Christian – Houseward Invite

Wyoming @ Comstock Park

West Michigan Aviation @ Lakewood

East Kentwood @ Mansfield/Mehock Relays

Potter’s House @ Big Rapids Crossroads Academy

Girls Water Polo

East Kentwood @ Saline – Invite

 

Monday, April 16

Girls Soccer

South Christian @ Christian

Wyoming @ FH Eastern

Wyoming Lee @ Belding

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

Grand River Prep @ Lake Odessa Lakewood

Fruitport Calvary @ Potter’s House

Boys Golf

South Christian @ Forest Hills Invite

Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville

Girls Tennis

South Christian @ Wayland

Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids

Kelloggsville @ West Catholic

East Kentwood @ West Ottawa

Boys Baseball

Union @ Godwin Heights

Belding @ Wyoming Lee

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian

West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH

Girls Softball

Belding @ Wyoming Lee – DH

Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian – DH

 

Wyoming boxing club has four Golden Glovers sparring for a state title

City of Wyoming, Going Local, Sports, ,

The Wyoming Pride Boxing Club will be sending four boxers to the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals this weekend. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The Wyoming Pride Boxing Club is housed in a nondescript older building barely large enough for a ring, located off the street and in the back of other older buildings in Wyoming’s Porter street neighborhood — you can take a rock and hit the GM Components industrial area.

 

But on a recent Thursday evening, there were about 20 young boxers of various ages — and various ability to fit into boxing gloves let alone actually know how to use them — with club director Alex Fernandez and head trainer Dominic Marsiglia bouncing around giving instruction here and correction there.

 

Also at the club that day were three of the four boxers from the club who made the finals of the Western Michigan tournament and will be fighting for the Michigan State Golden Gloves title this weekend; each staying loose, staying sharp and focused on their individual goals.

 

“It feels great, yes (to have four boxers in the finals),” Fernandez said. “It is rare, to have four fighters going into the state (finals) tournament, three of them were West Michigan champions and they all have a chance to win the title, and three of them are in the Open Division. Any one of them can win a state title, in that Open Division, and move on to the nationals — and get nationally recognized.”

 

WKTV will continue its coverage of the Golden Gloves Boxing Championships Friday and Saturday, April 21-22, with the state title bouts from The DeltaPlex Arena and Conference Center.

 

The start tournament has both Open and Novice divisions. The three Wyoming Pride boxers fighting in the Open Division are Aneudy “Junior” Rios in the 123-pound class, Cody Cross in the 178-pound class, and Monclairson “Haiti” Colas in the heavyweight (201 plus pounds).

 

Justin Pierce will be fighting for a Novice title. (WKTV)

Justin Pierce, the youngest of the four boxers at 18-years old, and with just two fights under his belt, will be fighting in as a novice in the 152-pound class.

 

For the 20-year-old Rios, the state tournament will be a continuation of a young career that already includes a novice title. For Cross and Colas, it is a chance to regain titles they held but lost.

 

For Pierce, it is all pretty new — he won both his Western Michigan tournament fights by decision — but he has learned some lessons quickly.

 

“It was a lot of nerves involved,” Pierce said of his first fight. “However, the nerves, that is always going to be there. That’s what I hear from the more experienced fighters. I don’t think that is ever going to go away, … (but) it was like a few pounds were lifted off my shoulders when I got the first fight out the way. It just made me feel good when I got my hand raised at the end of the bout.”

 

And what lesson will he carry into he finals?

 

“Stay relaxed and remain calm,” Pierce said. “Even if you lose one round, remember you still have two more rounds to go, to make up the difference. You don’t win a fight in one round, nor do you loose a fight in one round. A fight is all three rounds. You have to fight hard from round one to round three. That’s what I learned.”

 

Both Cross, at age 26, and Colas, at 25, have also learned lessons — titles and then lessons. Now they both have the goal of using those experiences to again gain titles.

 

Cody Cross will be seeking to regain a crown he once held. (WKTV)

Cross fought and won a state title as a novice in 2014 and was a 2015 Open state champion, but last year … “Last year, I fell short,” he said. This year, “I would like to repeat (his state open title), I hope so. Getting it is the goal now. Then from there, I’ll move on to another goal.”

 

Cross finished second in the Western Michigan tournament and will fight the winner of the Eastern Michigan tournament in this week’s opening round action.

 

Colas — then nickname “Haiti” comes from a past coworker who could not pronounce his French first name and, somehow, came up with “Young Haiti” — had a walk over in his first Western Michigan tournament fight and then won the title by abandonment (his opponent’s corner stopped the fight), so he will fight the runner-up from the Eastern Michigan side.

 

Haiti Colas will be going for a heavyweight title. (WKTV)

But he, too, was a 2015 Novice champ but he fell short of an Open title last year, learned some lessons, and also has a little something to prove this year.

 

“Now I have had more fights and we made adjustments for the (Western Michigan) tournament,” he said. “This year, I am more confident because I lost last year, so I am going to redeem myself.”

 

WKTV’s coverage will be broadcast on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 with a tape delayed airing of each evening’s bouts the following day: the Friday, April 21, bouts will air Saturday, April 22, at noon; and the Saturday, April 22, bouts will air Sunday, April 23, at 6 p.m.

 

For complete schedule see michigangoldenglovesboxing.com . For information about The DeltaPlex Arena and Conference Center, 2500 Turner Ave., Grand Rapids, visit deltaplex.com

 

WKTV to broadcast Golden Gloves boxing action this week

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Michigan Golden Gloves Boxing action will again be covered by the WKTV sports coverage crew. (Supplied)

WKTV Contributor

 

WKTV is again in the ring, bringing viewers the excitement of local boxing with our coverage of the Golden Gloves Boxing Championships.

 

Viewers can catch all the action on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 with a tape delayed airing of each evening’s bouts the following day.

 

The West Michigan Championships will be held at The DeltaPlex Arena and Conference Center, 2500 Turner Ave., Grand Rapids.

 

The schedule for WKTV’s West Michigan Championships will have the Wednesday, April 5, bouts airing Thursday, April 6, at 8:30 p.m.

 

The schedule for WKTV’s state championships will have the Saturday, April 8, bouts airing Sunday, April 9, at noon; the Friday, April 21, bouts airing Saturday, April 22, at noon; and the Saturday, April 22, bouts airing Sunday, April 23, at 6 p.m.

The DeltaPlex will host more Golden Gloves boxing events that WKTV will cover. For complete schedule see michigangoldenglovesboxing.com . For information about The DeltaPlex, visit deltaplex.com

 

WKTV readies to air Golden Gloves for the 32nd straight year

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michigan golden glovesThe Golden Gloves have a long, outstanding history throughout the country in the sport of boxing. What started in New York in 1927 as an amateur boxing tournament has morphed into The National Golden Gloves, a boxing program with affiliates in all 50 states who focus in training young people for success.

 

Grand Rapids started their involvement in 1932 under the sponsorship of the Grand Rapids Press and the Furniture City Post of the American Legion to foster competing teams in Grand Rapids. In 2008, Grand Rapids and the Michigan Golden Gloves Association hosted the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions.

 

Back in 1985, the Michigan Golden Gloves Association and WKTV formed a partnership to film the state championship boxing bouts. When the partnership began, the tournament was held at Stadium Arena (now known as the DeltaPlex). When Stadium Arena was no longer suitable, the tournament was moved to the Grand Valley National Guard Armory on 44th street.

 

2016 marks a return to the DeltaPlex and the 32nd year of WKTV’s coverage of the Golden Gloves Boxing Championship. Catch all the action on Live Wire Comcast Channel 24 with a tape delayed airing of each evenings bouts the following day at noon.

 

West Michigan Championships
Saturday, April 9
Wednesday, April 20 (airing at 8:30pm)

 

State Championships
Saturday, April 23
Friday, April 29
Saturday, April 30