Boxing: Blood Sweat and Tears - Fighting for a Future

By Apolonia S. Pollock
Special to Viva Loudoun

(March 11, 2012) - Since 1923, the Golden Gloves has been a gateway for amateur boxers to be exposed into the professional world of boxing. Many former Golden Gloves champions such as, Muhammed Ali (1960), Oscar de la Hoya (1989), and Jermain Taylor (1998 and 1999) have gone on to win world titles and become role models in boxing.

courtesy National Golden Gloves Inc.

Five local Loudoun amateur boxers, Jose Israel Flores, 19; Eric Hernandez, 18; Manuel “Manny” Hernandez, 13; Matthew Abregu, 19; and Diego Abregu, 18 are hoping to not only follow Ali, de la Hoya, and Taylor Golden Gloves titles’, but to fulfill their own personal dreams of becoming world champions as well.

“Golden Gloves to me is an opportunity to prove that I belong in this game,” said Eric Hernandez, “but it is going to be a hard tournament.”

Alongside Hernandez, teammate Matthew Abregu says, “boxing isn’t just a hobby to me, but a way of life, so winning the gloves will be a big stepping stone in pursuing my dream of becoming a professional boxer.”

These locals will be fighting in the Golden Gloves Championship on Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1 at the Elizabeth City Boxing Club in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.