Snapshots from the Golden Gloves
One by one the young fighters stood in line in the cold morning air patiently waiting their turn to register at this year’s Golden Gloves Tournament held in Lincoln Park, California. Over the weekend, a three-hour registration was held for the upcoming district tournament and hundred of boxers came out to sign up.
The stakes are already high for the athletes who have hopes of one day going to the Olympics or turning pro. And the Golden Gloves is a stepping stone to making these dreams a reality. And if they can win this battle, that victory inches them closer to their goals.
From unknown athletes not attached to any gym to familiar faces already getting famous on the amateur circuit, they all showed up from the surrounding cities of L.A. to sign in for the tournament. Everyone always watches the pro fighters on Pay-Per-View telecasts once they’re already superstars, but not many realize all the years spent fighting in the amateur ranks that 
help get them to the pros.
Some legendary coaches and cornermen were even there with their protégés in tow. Recognized in the crowd were cutman Joe Chavez, the famed Kronk Gym’s Prentiss Byrd, Jack Mosley (with Shane Mosley Jr.), Chris Arreoa’s trainer Henry Ramirez, and pro boxer Vanes Martirosyan’s younger brother Vatche.
But once the fighters lace up, it’s all fair game. Pedigree or not, all that matters is what happens inside those ropes.
The tournament begins tomorrow night at the Lincoln Park Rec Center and once again, the 
boxers will all come out to see if they get a matchup in the five-day tournament. Beginning Tuesday and going all the way until Saturday, the best of the bunch will have their hands raised high in a well-deserved and hard-fought victory.
Look closely. Do you see any future champs in the crowd?
I guarantee that many great champion fighters in the next few years will be coming out of this talented group of boxers. So take a good look and see if you can spot the next Olympic star or America’s newest heavyweight sensation in the crowd at the tournament tomorrow night!
Photos by Michele Chong