Amateur boxing on LI
After an exciting weekend of boxing at the Long Island Amateur Boxing Championships and Charities Amateur tournament this weekend at Gleason's Gym, what is the amateur boxing landscape like on Long Island.
Freeport PAL has an excellent boxing program, led by Joe Higgins. Under the guidance of Higgins, several local athletes have made a splash on the amateur level and could end up in the professional ranks.
Freeport PAL 's top prospect on the amateur level is Patrick Day. Day is currently ranked sixth in the 152-pound open division. In addition to winning the 141-pound USA Boxing Metro Championship, Day advanced to the final day of the US Team Olympic qualifier last month, falling just short. Day also won the NY Boxing tournament in Brooklun last month, winning three bouts.
Another hot prospect out of the Freeport PAL is 178-pounder Kalib Walker. Walker enlisted in the Marine Corps and qualified for the Marine boxing team.
Last, but not least is light heavyweight Sean "Irish Seannie Rocks" Monaghan. Since turning pro last year, Monaghan is 8-0 with five KOs. Monaghan is set to appear on the Sergio Martinez-Darren Barker undercard on October 1 in Atlantic City.
"My program is booming. We are looking to add an extention to our gym," Higgins told Newsday. "We need more space. We want to add a technology center with volunteer
educators."
Higgins recently bid farewell to longtime pupil Herve Duroseau, who took home the Golden Gloves 165-pound title. Duroseau announced his retirement after his victory at the Golden Gloves.
Veteran's Memorial Boxing Club in Shirley has also made waves recently. Led by LeShawn Rodriguez, a big winner at the Long Island Amateur Boxing Championships and Charities tournament on Sunday, Veterans Memorial has steadily produced quality fighters.
Joe Scalafani and Michael Stoute also represented Veterans Memorial, emerging victorious in the 165 and 123-pound novice divisions at the Golden Gloves, respectively. On the women's side for Veteran's Memorial, Brittany Delgado (106) and Christina Jensen (165) were also winners at the Golden Gloves.
Heavy Hitters Gym in Bohemia has also produced its share of contenders. Prince Slaughter (132) won at the Golden Gloves, while Kathleen "Kitty" Walsh won the Golden Gloves 141-pound female title.