LOWELL — Beaming in the spotlight at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium on Thursday night, Jenny Chung admitted she never pictured herself relishing in glory in front of a near-capacity crowd.
But there she was.
The Jass Boxing slugger and Somersworth, N.H., native defeated Alexandra Kerner of Nolan Bros. Boxing in the opening bout of a jam-packed card of 14 fights at the penultimate week of the 79th annual Golden Gloves presented by Lowell Sun Charities.
Fighting to a convincing unanimous decision, Chung captured the 125-pound women’s novice championship in exciting fashion.
Chung, 35, picked up boxing three years ago with the eagerness to learn. She loved the fitness aspect of it, which eventually led to shining in the ring in front of large crowds like Thursday’s.
“Not really, honestly,” Chung said on whether or not she’d ever make it to this stage. “I just wanted to win a fight.”
She won with flying colors over Kerner with a relentless slew of head shots throughout the three rounds to leave no doubt on her dominance.
“I’m one of those people who works hard for everything she does in life, and coming off a couple of losses, this just feels so good to win in Lowell,” Chung said. “This is incredible.”
And with her trophy in hand, Chung can finally believe it.
“I was just so excited,” Chung said. “So relieved, so thrilled.”
After Chung kicked off the night in style, Gnopo Gnobo took that momentum and ran with it. The Central City Boxing star, who you’d never believe started boxing some eight months ago, edged Timothy Yeaton of Jass Boxing to claim the 187-pound novice title.
Gnobo, of Chicopee, was all over his opponent from the start. The referee stopped the contest at 1:32 of the second round.
Then, Rachael Eutsy-Barkly of LFG Fitness notched a unanimous decision over Alyssa Piriano of Revolutions Training in the 132-pound women’s novice final.
The Portland Boxing Club has been well represented all winter at the Golden Gloves. Thursday was no different, and it was Xavier Diaz who set the tone for three Portland fighters behind him on the card with a split decision over Antonio Torres in the 121-pound open semifinal fight.
Bob Russo, who has been perched ringside each Thursday, is the founder of the Maine club and is the executive director of the New England Golden Gloves and the national president of the Golden Gloves of America.
“To me, it’s like I’m representing each one of my brothers,” Diaz said of representing his club.
Diaz, 34, followed the game plan of applying as much volume as possible to wear down his opponent. In the third round, he took advantage.
“Keep the gas on,” Diaz said of his strategy. “That’s how I knew I was really hurting him, because he kept holding me.”
Diaz hails from Portland, Maine, but currently lives in Texas. In the ring, he goes by “Tiger,” which was the name Portland coaches shouted from beside the ring while offering words of encouragement.
“I’m winning this, that’s what it is.” Diaz said. “After this, I’m just taking this home and we’re going to go to the nationals. I’m doing this for my kids, and my family, and everyone like that who doesn’t have a voice to speak and really want to fight. So that’s me. I’m that guy fighting for you.”
Gary Charles of Revolution Training Center then posted a unanimous decision over Armani Dotson of On Point in the 198+ open semifinal.
The final four fights prior to intermission were completed after print time, which included Idris Bashir of Portland Boxing Club and Adan Marquez of Lawtown Boxing Gym (132-pound novice semifinal), Lorenzo Giaccarini of Main Event Boxing and Malik Johnson of Broadway Boxing (154-pound open semifinal), Miguel Juan of Shelito’s Way Boxing and Neil Perez of Central City Boxing (176-pound novice final) and Zordan Holman of Portland Boxing Club and Gilbert Kabamba of Waymaker Boxing (198+ pound open semifinal).
After intermission, fans were treated to five fights to cap off the lengthy card.
Stepping into the ring was Ilyas Bashir of Portland Boxing Club and Anthony Schurko of LFG Fitness (132-pound open semifinal), Owen Finsthwait of The Town Boxing Club and Kameron Flynn of Revolution Fitness (165-pound open final), Josue Mercado of Haverhill Inner City Boxing and Colin Peck of KO King Boxing (121-pound novice final), Melvin Garcia of Intenze 978 and Jose Roman of Manfredo’s Boxing (110-pound open final) and Muna Anosike and Julian Smith of Blue Boy Boxing (198-pound open semifinal).