Devante Jackson was fast and Nick Grunyk was awkward, though both boxers had plenty of heart Thursday night in the Chicago Golden Gloves finals at Gordon Tech.
Grunyk eventually walked away with the 178-pound Novice championship, but not without a hard fight.
Every time it appeared Jackson’s polish was going to help him coast to the decision, Grunyk’s strength and courage kept him in the fight, especially in the third round when he chased Jackson and caught him with several meaningful shots that spelled the difference for the decision.
Kofi Bazzell-Smith claimed the championship in the 141-pound Open division, decisioning Kirk Billis, who gave Bazzell-Smith all he could handle in an action-filled fight.
David Ordaz won the Senior Novice 165-pound title with a decision over Ranny Al-Sharif. Both were raw, but full of energy.
They never stopped punching, although some of the blows were more slaps, but they were throwing leather until the final bell.
The Novice 119-pound championship went to Joshua Greer, who used an impressive body attack to wear down Ariel Bello. Greer also threw in a handful of effective uppercuts, which most amateurs don’t throw with much authority.
Bello took a standing eight count following one particularly good body attack in the third round that included a left that dug deep into his midsection.
In the first fight of the night, Bruce Do won a spirited decision over Andru Gonzalez at 139 pounds in the Novice division. Do had a more complete arsenal, and landed the more telling blows, helping him to pull away in the final round.
In women’s bouts, Dominique James defeated Ittzel Perez for the Women’s Novice 156-pound championship.
Allie Ayers defeated Jennifer Raff to claim the Women’s Senior Novice 156-pound title.
Kameron Jones won the Women’s Senior Novice heavyweight title by walkover. Teresa Trinidad also won by walkover, in the Women’s Open 165-pound category.
Alejandra Mercado won the championship in the Women’s 114-pound division when the referee gave opponent Dina Wagoy two standing eight counts. the bout was stopped when Wagoy was hurt again toward the end of the first round.
Kristin Iris Johnson won the Senior Novice 125-pound championship when the referee stopped her fight with Alyse Curry as Johnson was dominating.
RESULTS
139N: Bruce Do (Peoria Athletic) DEC Andru Gonzalez (UA)
F114N: Alejandra Mercado (Rockford Patriots) RSC1 Dina Wagoy (Evanston)
178N: Nick Grunyk (TBC) DEC Devante Jackson (Rockford)
201+O: Nicholas Asberry (DBB) RSC2 Jelani Foster (ChgoBoxing)
F125SN: Kristin Iris Johnson (ChgoBoxing) RSC2 Alyse Curry (Luyando)
Master: Birl Madden (Chgo Boxing) DEC James White (Trumbull)
125SN: Willie Perkins (Matadors) DEC Juan Garcia (Rico Boxing)
F165O: Teresa Trinidad (Fist Law) WO Brittany Edwards (Harvey)
141O: Kofi Bazzell-Smith (Luyando) DEC Kirk Bills (Bxg4Boxers)
165SN: David Ordaz (Pina) DEC Ranny Al-Sjarif (Hammond)
119N: Joshua Greer (Gill Boxing) DEC Ariel Bello (Rumi Maki)
FSN200: Kameron Jones (Pat Cat) WO Arteria Ziegler (UA)
156N: Demetrius Murchison (Gill Boxing) DEC Lewis Walker (Gill Boxing)
F165N: Dominique James (UA) DEC Ittel Perez (CYBC)
F165SN: Allie Ayres (Evanston) DEC Jennifer Raff (CFC)
F132O: Kristin Carlson (Fist Law) WO Madeline Guzman (ChgoBoxing)
