St. Louis’ tight-knit boxing community circled the wagons last week and staged an amateur card at the South Broadway Athletic Club for a benefit to help cover the funeral costs of Kelty O’Brien, a sports fan and music lover who was senselessly murdered on his way to work in the early hours of November 7.
Kelty was the brother of Mark O’Brien, the exceptional ring announcer who can be seen each year under the bright lights of the Scottrade Center at the “Guns ‘N Hoses” show.
Family and friends turned out to support Mark and watch the action inside the cozy fight venue on a night that featured 11 thrilling contests.
Gamble’s Cameron Brooks and Marcus Golliday from 12th & Park set the pace quickly in the first match, carefully measuring each other with mirror-imaged jabs while looking for an opening to exploit.
The points seemed pretty even going into the third and deciding round, and when the pair were finished testing their limits, the judges awarded the decision to Gamble’s sixty pounder.
Golliday’s stable mate Orlando Hill quickly put a check mark on the board for his gym as he dueled with Marquette’s Darren Cunningham in a rivalry that is bound to continue at tournaments well into the future.
With trainers Kenny Loehr and Harold Petty looking on, the lefty Hill got busy by firing a wave of 1, 2’s. Marquette’s corner of Joe Dunlap and Danny McGinnest Sr. watched their 75- pound charge use his jab to establish a riff in round two that he hoped to expand on as the battle hymn played out.
A spirited final frame concluded with a tight 3-2 nod going to Hill and his crew as the excitement level continued to simmer.
Ryan Thurman from Gamble and his 12th & Park counterpart Durant Jones would steal the scene next, digging in their heels and swapping leather for a trio of breathtaking rounds.
Both turned in gutsy showings, but it was the 85- pound Thurman who would have his mitt raised when the numbers on the scorecards were crunched.
Although it was a frosty night outside, hot duels to benefit a great cause rewarded the loyal fans inside who were treated to a fine exhibition of local talent.
Silver Gloves This Week
Fighters from Kansas City and other parts of the state will converge on the Marquette Rec Center this Saturday, December 13 for the Silver Gloves Tournament. Those who compete in the championship for athletes aged 10 through 15 will look to establish their legacies on the way to the regionals in January.
Trainer Winston Shaw will orchestrate the evening, which will feature more than a dozen bouts. Tickets will be available at the door for this great opportunity to see the stars of the future at the beginning of their careers.
Leon Bobo wins big in Florida
Congratulations to slippery southpaw Leon Bobo on his split decision victory over Orlando Gonzalez last Friday at the Miccosukee Resort in Miami. The formerly 12-1 local favorite Gonzalez got more than he and his handlers bargained for as the slick Bobo pinned a second blemish on his record with two scores of 58-56.
Devon Alexander stays busy
Fresh off a fourth round TKO of Sun-Haeng Lee in China last month, the undefeated Devon Alexander “The Great” will be in action tonight against Christopher Fernandez (15-5) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. All the best to Devon and his team as they continue to build on a 16-0 record with big goals ahead. (See SportsEye.)
