The young boxers from Lancaster who hit Independence, Missouri, last weekend for the 2024 National Silver Gloves tournament have returned triumphant — sporting two golds, three silvers and two bronzes.
For Christopher “Baby Goat” Lugo, who goes by C.J., the third time was a charm. The 65-pound champ won his third and final fight, on the third day of competition, earning a gold.
“C.J. fought his heart out,” said his father and coach, Christopher Lugo.
The elder Lugo also was pleased with C.J.’s teammate, Carlos Ramos (6-3), who won his first fight, but lost in the finals for a silver.
Both boxers are 11 years old, but Ramos fought at 60 pounds.
“They did so good,” Christopher Lugo said.
The small team celebrated at a local venue, Main Event, where the kids were “so excited to eat whatever,” Christopher Lugo said.
Ramos had to cut nine pounds in less than two weeks to maintain weight. The elder Lugo said he plans to move both athletes up in weight “so they will be stronger and not have to lose the weight like they did this time.”
Coach Will Torres of Lancaster City Boxing Academy said he thought his team did “pretty good.”
“It was cool,” he said, noting that while all the kids won medals, “some kids had a learning experience.”
For instance, Mila Torres (6-1) and Major Seth (13-4) are both ranked No. 1 in their division by USA Boxing and both moved up to a new division (9/10 years old) for this tournament.
Seth fought once, a semifinal bout, but lost. Torres made it to the finals before she went down, and brought home a silver medal.
Because this tournament isn’t a USA Boxing ranking tournament, Torres and Seth will keep their current ranks for the near future. And both have a chance to win in this new division next year, Will Torres said.
Lisander Fabian (13-4) learned enough from last year’s Silver Gloves defeat in the semifinals to make it to the finals this year. In a close, split decision, the Gloves veteran went down, but did get the silver.
“This year he made it one step closer,” Torres said, pointing out that next year “one step” would mean the championship.
Eight-year-old London Enaire (2-1) made his national tournament debut, and won. Then he won in the finals to get the gold.
Unlike many kids at their first big event, Enaire had no stage fright, Torres said.
“He loved the big stage and the lights,” the coach said. “Didn’t bother him at all.”
Lancaster City Boxing has multiple national champions on its team. Enaire is a more-than-welcome addition.
“Awesome to have another national champion in the gym,” Torres said. “It’s like, contagious in the gym.”
Amir Bernadin (6-4) fought once at 90 pounds in a 9/10-year-old semifinal match. He lost, but collected a bronze.
