(APR 9) Excellent job by the responsible staff for organizing not only this event, but the entire Daily News Golden Gloves tournament that began in early January. A capacity crowd filled the Theater at Madison Square Garden, and witnessed the three female bouts contained on an eleven bout card. All boxers competed on a high level and displayed an advanced level of sportsmanship. Each below bout was four rounds of two-minute duration.

141 lb:
Kathleen Walsh (Heavy Hitters) defeated Christella Cepeda (Yonkers YMCA)

Kathleen Walsh, a three-time Golden Gloves runner-up, started quickly against Christella Cepeda, landing effectively particularly with the left hook that punctuated most of her combinations. Cepeda was effective early in each round, but couldn’t call upon the endurance necessary to maintain her outside range allowing the aggressive Walsh to crowd her and score with effective in-fighting. The fourth time was a charm for Kathleen Walsh as her hand was deservedly raised in victory.
Previous winners: 2010- Nisa Rodriguez, 2009- Kristin Havdoglous

112 lb:
Christina Cruz (Atlas Cops N Kids) defeats Susanna Mellone-Spence (Mendez Boxing)

Susanna Mellone-Spence had a well developed game plan to defeat Christina Cruz, a four-time Golden Gloves Champion, by employing wide right hands to cut-off any lateral movement and to sit on the inside and throw punches in bunches. Cruz, apparently, no stranger to this maneuver, spent most of the first round timing her opponent’s movements. Beginning in round two, Christina Cruz, effectively side-stepped Mellone-Spence’s constant pressure landing the more effective and clean punches. Cruz also established her range and snappy jab keeping her hard charging opponent at bay for the greater portion of the remainder of the bout. Mellone-Spence had her moments after round one, but they were brief. Her pressure would have caused most to wilt, but Christina adjusted and cruised to her fifth Daily News Golden Gloves Title drawing even with all-time great amateur boxer and 1984 Gold Medalist, Mark Breland.

• Mark Breland presented Christina with her fifth gold gloves necklace, a fitting touch.

• Christina Cruz dropped to 112 pounds from 119 pounds in hopes for a chance to compete in the 2012 Olympic Games.

• Previous winners: 2010, 2009- Nicole Dean
152 lb:

Nisa Rodriguez (Mendez Boxing) defeats LaTarisha Fountain (Unattached)

If Nisa Rodriguez has a nickname, it should be, “The Goods.” In a bout that was boxed on high level, Rodriguez, only 20 years of age, frustrated Fountain, 33 years of age, with a dominate jab, a supreme sense of range, and efficient movement. Fountain, waiting to counter with the right cross, never had the opportunity due to Rodriguez not falling-in with her punches. This caused Fountain, the 2010 152-pound champion, to lunge with her right cross where it was effectively countered by Rodriguez with damaging left hooks. For most of the bout, Rodriguez had her back facing the middle of the ring whereas Fountain was either on or near the ropes. When the bell rang ending the fourth two-minute round, there was no doubt that Nisa Rodriguez would be awarded her third Golden Glove Championship in four years.

Previous winners: 2010- LaTarisha Fountain.

Mark A. Jones
boxingjones@gmail.com