Golden Gloves returns to area

By MELINDA ROBINSON - The Independent

ASHLAND April 24, 2008 12:06 am

— The Tri-State Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament returns to the Ashland area this weekend and spectators could very well catch a glimpse of a future Olympian.
The tournament, which begins Friday and wraps up Sunday at Ashland’s National Guard Armory, will crown a champion in each open weight class for participants 17 and older.
Those open winners in the men’s division then advance to the national tournament in Grand Rapids, Mich., on May 5 through 10, where the winners will be chosen to represent the United States in this summer’s Olympic Games.
The Tri-State tournament will showcase over 100 amateur boxers from Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Several boxers that train at the Westwood Boys and Girls Club and the Ringside Brothers Gym in Ashland are entered in the event.
“They’re the biggest two teams in the event,” Tri-State franchise owner Charlie Hanshaw said.
Both organizations are working together to put on the show.
“It’s the best sportsmanship you’ll ever see,” said Noah Kirk, a volunteer coach from the Westwood Boys and Girls Club. “Even though they’ve just been boxing, they shake each others hand. It’s really respectful.”
Boxers ranging in ages from eight to 35, male and female, will fight over the weekend. About 17 to 30 fights are anticipated for Friday and Saturday with 11 championship matches slated for Sunday.
Female boxers 17 and up do not have to qualify for the national tournament, which will be held July 8-12 in Hollywood, Fla., but 12 female boxers are entered in this weekend’s event. Those younger than 17 can also fight to be ranked among other boxers in the country. The junior Golden Gloves National Tournament is set for July 24-26 in Mesquite, Neb.
Proceeds from the Tri-State event will go to help send the winners to their respective national tournament locations later this summer.
“We don’t really have that big of a fan base from it and we don’t make a lot of money, but all the proceeds go to help the fighters,” Kirk said. “Hopefully, if it goes well, we can keep it here.”
Organizers also want to draw a big crowd in hopes of keeping the event in the Ashland area. The tournament was held in Columbus, Ohio, the past four years but began in Ashland in 1995.
“We’re trying to build it back up after being out of the Ashland Area but it’s going to take a few years,” Hanshaw said. “We couldn’t have it without the Tri-State Building and Construction Trades Council’s sponsorship.”
Boxing begins Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 with doors opening at 6 p.m. Sunday’s event begins at 1 p.m. Tickets must be purchased at the door. Adults tickets cost $10, children 12 and younger are $7 and children 6 and younger will be admitted free.
MELINDA ROBINSON can be reached at mrobinson@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2646.