The two words "Golden Gloves" seem to put out a magical sound. A sound well known to all boxers whether pro or amateur and a phrase known to all people familiar with the sport of boxing. The first Golden Gloves tournament was held in New York in 1927.
In 1963, the Golden Gloves Association of America was formed. Golden Gloves tournaments are held throughout the U.S. at the beginning of each year. All participants must be members of USA boxing and between the ages of 16-34 and must have a minimum of 10 amateur bouts, as Golden Gloves is strictly a amateur competition. The tournament is in three parts: First state competition where the best amateur boxers in each state compete against each other producing state Golden Gloves champions. These boxers go on to two further sets of eliminations, one is regional competition; and if they are successful they go one to national competition.
To become a Golden Gloves national champion is a great achievement, a honor held by few. It means you are the best amateur boxer in your weight class in the whole U.S.
Nevada had its Golden Gloves state competition back in February producing two state champions both from Reno. Brothers Oscar and Santos Vasquez took down the title. Oscar, 23, did it boxing at 114 pounds and Santos, 19, did it boxing at 108 pounds.
However, the brothers were not done. They won the regional competition that took place in March in Vegas. Now both Oscar and Santos heading to Indianapolis, Ind., this weekend for the national competition.
The Vasquez brothers train and live in Reno and box for a local boxing club called the Mity Mites, and are coached by Don Fain and Raymundo Arce. The Mity Mites boxing club has been producing decorated boxers for decades, has more than 40 amateur boxers with assistant coaches, Carlos Leon, and Humberto Gullien.
Oscar and Santos Vasquez are two great boxers who have represented the state of Nevada in many wonderful ways, and of course have their eyes on the upcoming Olympics. Keep a close eye on these two young men, they are going to make Nevada proud.
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Jesse Brinkley will be fighting in front of friendly fans on April 29 when he fights for the IBO supper middleweight title against New York's Peter Quillin at the Reno Event Center.
Brinkley enters the fight with a 35-6 record, including 22 knockouts. Quillin is 23-0 with 17 knockouts.
In the televised six round co-feature fight, Lonnie Smith (12-2-2, 9 KOs) of Las Vegas will be facing David Rodela (15-3-3, 6 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif. Smith is coming off of a first- round knockout win over Jose Gomez this January. Rodela drew in his fight against Juan Montiel last September, but came out with a split decision win at Staples Center against Eric Cruz prior to that in May.
As an early start to the Cinco De Mayo holiday, two of Northern Nevada's top Mexican-American prospects will be featured on the undercard in separate bouts. Reno's Carlos Gaytan (2-0-1, 1 KO) will be fighting Antioch's Mike Alexander (1-4-1) in the super-middleweight division. Carson City's Jose "Chuy" Elizondo Jr. will be making his pro debut in the junior middleweight division against Oakland's Miguel Lopez (2-0, 1 KO) in a four round bout.
In what is being billed as a special attraction bout, former University of Nevada boxer, Thomas Gennaro, will be making his professional debut against Oscar Godoy of (1-1) of Watsonville. Gennaro is a two-time collegiate champion for UNR.
Rounding out the card, junior lightweights Andrew Rempp (1-2-1 Yerington, NV) and Denis Madriz of San Francisco will face off in a four round bout. Rempp, who is also Jesse Brinkley's cousin, hasn't fought since December of 2009 when he lost a unanimous decision to Johnny Mancilla. Madriz will be making his professional debut.
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000, or by visiting the Silver Legacy or Reno Events Center box office during hours of operation. Prices are $33.25, $63.25, and $103.25. Doors open at 6 p.m, and first bell is at 7 p.m.
• Victor Bruno is athletic director of Bruno's Boxing Club in Carson City.