Team USA’s Marcus Browne Qualifies for the 2012 Olympic Games with a Quarterfinal Win in Brazil

Light heavyweight Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.) officially qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games with a quarterfinal victory at the Americas Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday afternoon.

Browne is the first American boxer to qualify at the event, which features the top boxers from north, central and south America. The 21-year-old took on the Dominican Republic’s Felix Valera in the light heavyweight quarterfinal contest. Knowing the high stakes, Browne grabbed control of the bout early and enjoyed a 7-2 lead after the first round. The pace slowed over the next two rounds with Browne taking a 9-3 advantage into the last three points. He held on to his lead in the final round to win a 12-6 final decision and a light heavyweight berth in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Browne, who began boxing at the age of 13 after following a friend to the boxing gym, was one of the three Olympic Trials winners competing in the Americas Qualifier in Rio de Janeiro. He fell just short of qualifying internationally at the 2011 World Championships, but stayed focused on his Olympic dream despite the obstacle.

“Well it’s been a long road, but I finally got to where I wanted to with sacrifice and hard work,” Browne said. “I just want to thank all of the people who stood behind me through thick and thin. I can’t wait to get home and get focused on winning the gold in London.”

A product of the Atlas Cops N Kids gym in Staten Island, N.Y., and trained by Gary Stark, Sr., Browne is a two-time National PAL Champion the 2012 USA Boxing National Champion. A southpaw noted for his strong punching power, Browne recorded first round stoppages in his opening bouts at both the 2011 World Championships in Azerbaijan and his Americas Qualifier first round contest in Brazil.

He will represent the United States in the same weight class as the most recent U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Andre Ward, when he takes the ring in London. In 2008, the United States did not have a light heavyweight representative as Christopher Downs failed to qualify.

With Browne’s win, the United States has four boxers qualified for London with the light heavyweight joining flyweight Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio), bantamweight Joseph Diaz, Jr. (S. El Monte, Calif.) and welterweight Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas).

Light welterweight Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) will look to bring the total to five when he takes the ring against Yoelvis Hernandez of Venezuela at approximately 6:45 p.m. ET.

Quarterfinal Bout Result

178 lbs: Marcus Browne, Staten Island, N.Y./USA dec. Felix Valera, DOM, 12-6

Marcus Browne Bio

MARCUS BROWNE

Weight: Light heavyweight/178 lbs

Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.

Birthdate: November 10, 1990

Height: 6-2

Coach’s name: Gary Stark

Club name: Park Hill Boxing Club
Began boxing: At age 13, I followed my friend N’Wachi Hartley, to the gym and have been there ever since. He passed away in 2008 but his memory still motivates me to this day

Did you know?: I like to roller blade

2012 USA BOXING NATIONAL CHAMPION

U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS CHAMPION

2010 NATIONAL PAL CHAMPION

2008 NATIONAL PAL CHAMPION

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Thirty-five Athletes Advance to Final Round Action at the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships‏

The long road to championship night concluded on Friday afternoon at the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships with 35 semifinal bouts. All the semifinalists in both the male and female divisions took the ring on Friday with hopes of advancing to the finals.

Both of the 2011 National Champions suffered elimination in their semifinal bouts to create first-time final round match-up in the female light flyweight division. Reigning gold medalist Amy Sowers (Bozeman, Mont.) was defeated by Olympic Team Trials contestant Alex Love (Monroe, Wash.) in their semifinal contest. Love, who moved down to the light flyweight division for the 2012 National Championships, won a 22-13 decision over Sowers. On the opposite side of the bracket, Lisa Ha (Honolulu, Hawaii) defeated 2011 silver medalist Marina Ramirez (Sacramento, Calif.) by a 20-14 margin.

Two closes light flyweight bouts determined the finalists in the men’s division. Olympic Trials silver medalist Santos Vasquez (Sparks, Nev.) grabbed the first spot, winning a 15-12 decision over Stephen Fulton, Jr. (Philadelphia, Pa.) in their semifinal bout. Three-time national champion Louie Byrd (Denver, Colo.) hoped to advance to his fourth USA Boxing National Championships finals, but Leroy Davila (North Brunswick, N.J.) had other plans. Davila pulled out a 21-20 decision over Byrd to win the bout and move on to the finals with Vasquez.

Although the flyweight spot on the U.S. Olympic Team has been locked down by three-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio), eight flyweights traveled to Colorado Springs, hoping to claim a national title. Two of them still have an opportunity to do so following Friday’s semifinal action. Edmundo Guzman (Las Cruces, N.M.) won the first spot by taking a 16-13 decision over Brent Venegas III (Elk Horn, Calif.) in the first of the two flyweight semifinals. He will face the U.S. Army’s Charles Williams (N.C.) on Saturday afternoon in the flyweight final. Williams pulled out a 15-14 decision overEduardo Vasquez (Sheridan, Colo.) in Friday’s semifinal action to move on to the championship round.

Christina Cruz (New York, N.Y.) has bounced back from her loss at the Olympic Trials with three straight victories at the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships. Cruz won an 18-11 decision over Ayanna Vasquez (Las Cruces, N.M.) in her semifinal bout to move on to the championship round where she will battle Jamie Mitchell (Pacific Grove, Calif.). Mitchell won a 25-18 decision over Melanie Costa (Norton, Mass.) to advance to Saturday night’s showdown with Cruz.

In men’s bantamweight action, Joet de Jesus Gonzalez (Glendora, Calif.) won an all-California match-up with Gary Salazar (Fresno, Calif.). De Jesus Gonzalez took the low scoring affair, recording a 7-5 decision over Salazar. His final round contest will feature a match-up with Riccardo Kerns(Anchorage, Alaska). Kerns trekked all the way from Anchorage to Colorado Springs for the tournament but his long journey has been worth it, as he will compete in the bantamweight final on Saturday afternoon. Kerns defeated Luis Castro (Texas), 26-19 in the semifinals to move on to Saturday’s competition.

A third Women’s Olympic Trials competitor punched her ticket for finals night in the featherweight division. Lightweight competitor Tiara Brown (Lehigh Acres, Fla.) moved down to the featherweight class for the 2012 USA Boxing National Championships and she will compete for a gold medal in the 125-pound class on Saturday night. Brown won a 21-9 decision over Kirstie Simmons (Aurora, Colo.) to earn a spot in the featherweight finale. Brown will take on teenage sensation Rashida Ellis (Lynn, Mass.) in the featherweight championship bout on Saturday. Ellis defeated Karla Herrera (Los Angeles, Calif.) by a 14-12 margin to move on to her showdown with Brown.

The men’s lightweight championship bout will feature a rematch from the finals of the August Olympic Trials as two-time national champion and Olympic Trials titlist Jose Ramirez (Avenal, Calif.) faces 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams (Cleveland, Ohio). Both lightweight semifinals featured rematches from the recent Olympic Trials with Williams facing Toka Kahn Clary (Providence, R.I.) and Ramirez battling Kenneth Sims, Jr. (Chicago, Ill.). Williams claimed his spot first in a barnburner with Kahn Clary, the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships silver medalist. The bout went into the final seconds with the outcome in doubt, but Williams claimed a 21-20 final decision to move on to Saturday’s action. Ramirez enjoyed a slightly easier time in his bout with Sims. Although Ramirez had pulled out their initial bout at the Olympic Trials by only one point, he won by a much larger margin at Fort Carson. Sims kept the bout close early on but Ramirez slowly began to pull away, eventually winning a 27-14 decision.

Emily Dagnan (Jasper, Tenn.) and Katie Brunancini (Los Angeles, Calif.) will do battle in the women’s lightweight championship bout following victories by both in Friday’s semifinals. Brunacini moved on to Saturday afternoon’s action with a 23-10 decision over Felisha Estrada Gonzalez (Glendora, Calif.) in their semifinal contest. Dagnan joined her in the finals with a 19-10 victory over Rosa Garcia (Arizona) in the second female lightweight semifinal.

The light welterweight division featured one of the most crowd-pleasing bouts of the day as Julian Rodriguez (Paterson, N.J.) defeated Robert Easter(Toledo, Ohio) to the delight of Rodriguez’s very vocal fans. Rodriguez managed to overcome his large height deficit en route to a 22-18 victory over Easter and a spot in the final bout. He will face Olympic Trials champion Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) in Saturday night’s light welterweight contest. Herring continued his methodical run through the tournament on Friday, winning a 20-13 decision over Luis Olivares (Glendale, Ariz.) to claim the second spot in the light welterweight championship bout.

The female light welterweight bout will showcase a highly anticipated matched between two-time national champion Cashmere Jackson (Cleveland, Ohio) and Olympic Trials silver medalist Mikaela Mayer (Los Angeles, Calif.). Mayer moved up to the light welterweight class following her loss at the Olympic Trials and has enjoyed success at her new weight division. She claimed her spot in the finals today with a convincing 21-5 win over Christella Cepeda(Yonkers, N.Y.). Jackson earned her berth in her third straight championship bout with a 22-5 victory over Ariel Beck (Helena, Mont.).

Alex Martin (Chicago, Ill.) returned to his second USA Boxing National Championships final bout with a victory over 2010 National Golden Gloves championDavid Grayton (Washington DC) in welterweight semifinal action. Martin won a 24-14 decision over Grayton to move on to Saturday’s finals where he will battle Patrick Day (Freeport, N.Y.). Day won a New York City face-off with Christopher Galeano (Bronx, N.Y.), claiming an 8-8 tiebreaker victory on his 26-21 total punch count edge.

Two former middleweight national champions will face off in the 165-pound final round contest on Saturday night following wins by Olympic Trials titlistJesse Hart (Philadelphia, Pa.) and Terrell Gausha (Cleveland, Ohio). Hart battled hometown boxer Izaak Cardona (Colorado Springs, Colo.) in his semifinal contest, winning a 14-10 decision over Cardona to move on to his second straight USA Boxing National Championships championship bout. Gausha continued his impressive showing in his semifinal match-up with Demond Nicholson (Laurel, Md.), taking a 22-13 decision to advance to the finals.

The women’s light heavyweight championship bout will pit two familiar foes from the middleweight division as Olympic Trials contestants Tiffanie Hearn(San Diego, Calif.) and Franchon Crews (Baltimore, Md.) prepare to face-off again. Both Hearn and Crews stopped their opponents to move on to the finals with Hearn defeating Kendra Minnis (St. Louis, Mo.) and Crews beating Denise Rico (Los Angeles, Calif.).

Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.) became the fourth Olympic Trials winner to move on to championship night with his semifinal victory on Friday. Browne defeated Anthony Sims, Jr. (Ypsilanti, Mich.), 18-6 in their semifinal showdown to punch his ticket for finals night. On the opposite side of the bracket, the U.S. Army’s Steven Nelson, Jr. (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.) upset former national champion Robert Brant (Oakdale, Minn.) to the delight of the crowd in attendance. Nelson’s 31-16 decision over Brant gave him the second spot in the light heavyweight final.

In men’s heavyweight action, 2008 Olympic Trials champion Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Javonta Charles (W. Des Moines, Iowa) will face off for the heavyweight crown. Charles earned the first berth in the heavyweight final with a 13-5 victory over Antwon Abron (Stockton, Calif.). Hunter completed the bracket with a 16-9 decision over 2010 USA Boxing Athlete of the Year Steve Geffrard (Boca Raton, Fla.).

The super heavyweight division was the final weight class to finalize their championship round contestants and two west coast boxers claimed the final two spots in finals night. UNLV boxer and Last Chance Qualifier champion Brett Rather (Las Vegas, Nev.) defeated number one seed and Olympic Trials silver medalist Laron Mitchell (San Francisco, Calif.), 17-14 in their semifinal bout to move on to the finals. Olympic Trials participant Dominic Breazale (Los Angeles, Calif.) claimed the lone remaining spot following a 19-16 win over his teammate Jonathan Hamm (Atlanta, Ga.).

The three qualified men’s weight divisions and three women’s Olympic weight classes will compete in final action at 1 p.m. with the remaining weight divisions, which are each advancing on to major international tournaments, boxing at 6 p.m. at the Fort Carson Special Events Center.

Friday’s Semifinal Results

106 lbs/female: Lisa Ha, Honolulu, Hawaii dec. Marina Ramirez, Sacramento, Calif., 20-14

106 lbs/female: Alex Love, Monroe, Wash., dec. Amy Sowers, Bozeman, Mont., 22-13

108 lbs/male: Santos Vasquez, Sparks, Nev., dec. Stephen Fulton, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., 15-12

108 lbs/male: Leroy Davila, N. Brunswick, N.J., dec. Louie Byrd, Denver, Colo., 21-20

112 lbs/female: Ayesha Green, Trenton, N.J., dec. Maryguenn Vellinga, Salt Lake City, Utah, 10-7

114 lbs/male: Edmundo Guzman, Las Cruces, N.M., dec. Brent Venegas III, Elk Horn, Calif., 16-13

114 lbs/male: Charles Williams, North Carolina dec. Eduardo Vasquez, Sheridan, Colo., 15-14

119 lbs/female: Christina Cruz, New York, N.Y., dec. Ayanna Vasquez, Las Cruces, N.M., 16-13

119 lbs/female: Jamie Mitchell, Pacific Grove, Calif., dec. Melanie Costa, Norton, Mass., 25-18

123 lbs/male: Joet de Jesus Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif., dec. Gary Salazar, Fresno, Calif., 7-5

123 lbs/male: Riccardo Kerns, Anchorage, Alaska, dec. Luis Castro, Texas 26-19

125 lbs/female: Tiara Brown, Lehigh Acres, Fla., dec. Kirstie Simmons, Aurora, Colo., 21-9

125 lbs/female: Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass., dec. Karla Herrera, Los Angeles, Calif., 14-12

132 lbs/female: Emily Dagnan, Jasper, Tenn., dec. Karla Herrera, Los Angeles, Calif., 19-10

132 lbs/male: Jose Ramirez, Avenal, Calif., dec. Kenneth Sims, Jr., Chicago, Ill., 27-14

132 lbs/male: Raynell Williams, Cleveland, Ohio dec. Toka Kahn Clary, Providence, R.I., 21-20

141 lbs/female: Cashmere Jackson, Cleveland, Ohio dec. Ariel Beck, Helena, Mont., 22-5

141 lbs/female: Mikaela Mayer, Los Angeles, Calif., dec. Christella Cepeda, Yonkers, N.Y., 21-5

141 lbs/male: Jamel Herring, Coram, N.Y., dec. Luis Olivares, Glendale, Ariz., 20-13

141 lbs/male: Julian Rodriguez, Paterson, N.J., dec. Robert Easter, Toledo, Ohio, 22-18

152 lbs/female: Raquel Miller, San Francisco, Calif., dec. Tara Weisshaar, Burlington, Colo., 29-2

152 lbs/female: Danyelle Wolf, San Diego, Calif., dec. Alicia Napoleon, Lingdenhurst, N.J., 24-5

152 lbs/male: Patrick Day, Freeport, N.Y., dec. Christopher Galeano, Bronx, N.Y., 8-8 (29-21)

152 lbs/male: Alex Martin, Chicago, Ill., dec. David Grayton, Washington DC, 24-14

165 lbs/male: Jesse Hart, Philadelphia, Pa., dec. Izaak Cardona, Colorado Springs, Colo., 14-10

165 lbs/male: Terrell Gausha, Cleveland, Ohio dec. Demond Nicholson, Laurel, Md., 22-13

178 lbs/female: Tiffanie Hearn, San Diego, Calif., stopped Kendra Minnis, St. Louis, Mo., RSC

178 lbs/female: Franchon Crews, Baltimore, Md., stopped Denise Rico, Los Angeles, Calif., RSC

178 lbs/male: Marcus Browne, Staten Island, N.Y., dec. Anthony Sims, Jr., Ypsilanti, Mich., 18-6

178 lbs/male: Steven Nelson, Jr., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., dec. Robert Brant, Oakdale, Minn., 31-16

201 lbs/male: Javonta Charles, W. Des Moines, Iowa, dec. Antwon Abron, Stockton, Calif., 13-5

201 lbs/male: Michael Hunter, Las Vegas, Nev., dec. Steve Geffrard, Boca Raton, Fla., 16-9

201+ lbs/male: Dominic Breazale, Los Angeles, Calif., dec. Jonathan Hamm, Atlanta, Ga., 19-16

201+ lbs/male: Brett Rather, Las Vegas, Nev., dec. Laron Mitchell, San Francisco, Calif., 17-14

Saturday’s Championship Bout Sheet

1 p.m.

112 lbs/female: Anissa Vasquez, Fort Worth, Texas vs. Ayesha Green, Trenton, N.J.

114 lbs/male: Edmundo Guzman, Las Cruces, N.M., vs. Charles Williams, Tulsa, Okla.

123 lbs/male: Joet de Jesus Gonzalez, Glendora, Calif., vs. Riccardo Kerns, Anchorage, Alaska

132 lbs/female: Emily Dagnan, Jasper, Tenn., vs. Katie Brunacini, Los Angeles, Calif.

152 lbs/male: Patrick Day, Freeport, N.Y., vs. Alex Martin, Chicago, Ill.

165 lbs/female: Fallon Farror, Staten Island, N.Y., vs. Dara Shen, Alexandria, Va.

6 p.m.

106 lbs/female: Alex Love, Monroe, Wash., vs. Lisa Ha, Honolulu, Hawaii

108 lbs/male: Santos Vasquez, Sparks, Nev., vs. Leroy Davila, North Brunswick, N.J.

119 lbs/female: Christina Cruz, New York, N.Y., vs. Jamie Mitchell, Pacific Grove, California

125 lbs/female: Tiara Brown, Lehigh Acres, Fla., vs. Rashida Ellis, Lynn, Mass.

132 lbs/male: Raynell Williams, Cleveland, Ohio vs. Jose Ramirez, Avenal, Calif.

141 lbs/female: Cashmere Jackson, Cleveland, Ohio vs. Mikaela Mayer, Los Angeles, Calif.

141 lbs/male: Julian Rodriguez, Paterson, N.J., vs. Jamel Herring, Coram, N.Y.

152 lbs/female: Raquel Miller, San Francisco, Calif., vs. Danyelle Wolf, San Diego, Calif.

165 lbs/male: Jesse Hart, Philadelphia, Pa., vs. Terrell Gausha, Cleveland, Ohio

178 lbs/female: Tiffanie Hearn, San Diego, Calif., vs. Franchon Crews, Baltimore, Md.

178 lbs/male: Marcus Browne, Staten Island, N.Y., vs. Steven Nelson, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

201 lbs/male: Javonta Charles, W. Des Moines, Iowa vs. Michael Hunter, Las Vegas, Nev.

201+ lbs/male: Brett Rather, Las Vegas, Nev., vs. Dominic Breazale, Los Angeles, Calif.♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Ten Boxers Claim U.S. Olympic Team Trials Titles in Mobile

A full week of boxing culminated in final round competition on Friday at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing in Mobile, Ala. The champions bracket winners faced off with the challengers bracket victors in 10 bouts of action. The challengers bracket winners were looking to stay alive in the tournament with a victory while the winners bracket athletes hoped to seal their Olympic Trials titles on Friday night.

Eros Correa (San Jose, Calif.) won the first title of the night in his bout with challengers bracket winner Santos Vasquez (Sparks, Nev.). The bout was closely contested throughout with Correa holding a slim 14-12 edge with one round of boxing remaining. He doubled his lead over the final three minutes to win a 22-18 decision and the light flyweight title.

Rau’shee Warren (Cincinnati, Ohio) became the first boxer to win three straight U.S. Olympic Team Trials titles on Friday night. Warren defeated a game Shawn Simpson (Chicago, Ill.) by a 31-18 margin in their second match-up of the week. Warren led by only two points after the first round but began to build on his lead as both boxers looked for openings in their opponent’s defense. Warren led 14-9 after the second, but both boxers’ hands really began to fly in the final stanza. Despite Simpson’s best efforts, he couldn’t impact Warren’s date with history and the two-time Olympian moved one step closer to becoming the first U.S. boxer ever to compete in three Olympic Games.

The champions bracket winning streak continued in the bantamweight division as Joseph Diaz, Jr. (El Monte, Calif.) punched his ticket for Azerbaijan with a close 17-14 victory over O’Shanique Foster (Orange, Texas). The two were tied at nine with one round remaining and Diaz outscored Foster by a three-point margin in the last round to win the final decision and the bantamweight crown.

Jose Ramirez (Avenal, Calif.) joined the first three winners bracket champions in earning a victory on Friday night. Ramirez defeated 2008 Olympian Raynell Williams (Cleveland, Ohio) in their lightweight showdown to advance to take the gold medal. He led by a small one-point margin after the opening stanza and pushed his lead to six after two. Ramirez held on over the final three minutes to take a 21-16 victory and the lightweight title.

In the light welterweight division, one of the biggest surprises of the tournament claimed an Olympic Trials title. The United States Marine Corps’ Jamel Herring (Coram, N.Y.) won the gold medal with a 15-10 decision over Pedro Sosa (Bronx, N.Y.). After a close first round, Herring moved out to an 11-7 lead after two rounds. Sosa couldn’t overcome his deficit and Herring won a 17-14 final to claim the light welterweight title.

Errol Spence (Desoto, Texas) won the sixth title of the night in his bout with Amir Imam (Albany, N.Y.). Spence grabbed a three-point advantage after one and extended it to a 17-12 lead with one round of boxing remaining. He held on to his five-point edge over the final three minutes to win a 24-19 decision and win the welterweight gold medal.

Middleweight Jesse Hart (Philadelphia, Pa.) won the most convincing bout of the evening action in his rematch of the 2010 National Championships finals with Luis Arias (Milwaukee, Wis.). Hart came flying out of the gate before Arias could find his rhythm and took a 16-3 lead after two rounds. He didn’t leave any room for doubt, extending his lead over the final three minutes to win a 21-6 decision and the middleweight title.

The champions bracket continued to roll in the light heavyweight division with Marcus Browne (Staten Island, N.Y.) winning his showdown with Siju Shabazz (Las Cruces, N.M.). The trend of close first rounds returned in the light heavyweight class. Browne took a small one point advantage after the opening round and fully grabbed the momentum in the second, enjoying a 12-7 lead with one round remaining. Shabazz made it interesting in the third, pulling to within two but he couldn’t take the lead and Browne won a 14-12 final decision.

Michael Hunter (Las Vegas, Nev.) won his second straight U.S. Olympic Team Trials championship in convincing fashion in his bout with Joseph Williams (Bronx, N.Y.). Hunter wasted no time getting on the score board, scoring 13 points in the first round to take a commanding 13-3 lead. He held a 21-10 advantage after the second round and went on to win a 28-17 final decision to claim his second straight Olympic Team Trials.

Lenroy Thompson (Lenexa, Kansas) made the night a clean sweep for the champions bracket with a victory over Laron Mitchell (San Francisco, Calif.). Mitchell kept the bout interesting, applying pressure to the moving Thompson. Thompson held a 15-6 lead after the second round and pushed it to a 21-9 final decision to win the super heavyweight championship.

All of tonight’s winners must qualify internationally through the 2011 AIBA World Championships, September 22-October 10 in Baku, Azerbaijan in order to compete in London. The light flyweight through light heavyweight division boxers will need to finish in the top ten while the heavyweight and super heavyweight athletes will have to finish in the top six to officially punch their tickets for London. As all of the champions bracket winners won tonight’s bout, there won’t be any bouts on Saturday.

USA Boxing President Harold Adonis announced Joe Zanders as the Olympic Team Head Coach earlier this week and Zanders enjoyed the chance to meet his team first hand in Mobile.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

81st Annual NY Golden Gloves Championships Finals live from Madison Square Garden; Actress vs Dancer, Student vs Teacher and more classic matchups

All the boxing ring's was the stage for the 81at Annual Daily News Golden Gloves Amateur Boxing Tournament, Thursdy April 17th and Friday April 18th at the WAMU Theatre at Madison Square Garden. The best amateur boxers in the New York City Metro area put their dukes up for two nights of fights, in front of thousands of fans at the world greatest arena. A total of 31 championship bouts were held over the two days, featuring 62 men and women boxers. The Daily News Golden Gloves has served as a launching point for the careers of world champion boxers such as Emile Griffith, Jose Torres, Floyd Paterson, Howard Davis and Riddick Bowe. The Golden Gloves comprises of nearly 30 nights of elimination bouts held throughout the New York metropolitan area over three months. It is the most prestigious, oldest and largest amateur boxing tournament in the world. Nearly 700 fighters- including more than 40 women- fought in the Golden Gloves this year.



For live video interviews of Nisa Rodriguez, Franchon Crews, Laura Ramirez and Livingstone Joseph, Iran Barkley, Sadam "world Kid" Ali and many more of your boxing favorites go to Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience the Channel- Online at http://www.youtube.com/ELEmpress1

165 Pound Novice- Marcus Browne 17 now (2 KO's, 2 decisions, 1 bye) of the Rockaways who is a student at Concord H.S, where he still trains Marcus Browne defeated Shaka Davidson 25 (1KO, 3 decisions, 1 bye) who is a personal trainer and lives in Mount Kisco New York.

Marcus Browne


114 Pound Women- Keisher "Fire" MCleod Wells 30 of Gleasons Gym (2 decision) a three time champion at 110 pounds, who lives in Brooklyn, won the decision over Alexis Asher 25 of Gleasons Gym (1 bye) the defending champion from Brooklyn, who is a personal trainer and dancer.

Keisher "Fire" MCleod Wells


178 Pound Novice- Joseph Smith, Jr. 18 of Vetereans Memeorial Gym (3 KO's, 1 decision, 1 bye) who is a tree cutter for the LIRR, from Mastic, L.I., won the decision over Sean Monaghan 26 of Freeport PAL (3 decisions, 1 KO, 1 bye) a bricklayer who is a resident of Long Beach.

Joseph Smith Jr.


Sean Monaghan


141 Pound Open- Livingstone Joseph 23 of NYC PAL (2 KO's, 1 decision) who is from Manhattan is a two time Golden Gloves champion. Livingstone Joseph defeated Mike Brooks 20 of Freeport PAL (2 decisions, 1, bye) who is ranked nationally, Brooks who is empolyed as a cook, lives in Oceanside, L.I.

Livingstone Joseph and the Legend Iran Barkley


119 pound Women- Christina Cruz 25 of Gleasons Gym (1 KO, 1 decision) who is a personal secretary from Manhattan defended her championship defeating Christina Rosa 29 of Westbury PAL, who is a jeweler and living in Garden Park City, L.I.

Christina Cruz


138 Pound Women- Chinazo Rena Anakwe 24 of Team Free Form (1 bye) who is enrolled in the Actors Studio AFA program at Pace University and who lives in Brooklyn New York, won a decision over Kathleen Walsh 18 of Heavy Hitters Boxing Club (1 decision) who is from Ronkonkoma, L.I., and works as a lifeguard.

Chinazo Rena Anakwe


Mr & Mrs Flaco and Keisher MCleod-Wells and Chinazo Rena Anakwe


125 Pound Open- Emmanuel Gonzalez 20 of Betances Boxing Club (1 decision, 1 bye) who is an apprentice bricklayer from the Bronx, and who was a finalist in 2007, came back in 2008 to defeat Marcos Hernandez 19 of Gleasons Gym (1 decision, 1 bye) who is a resident of Brooklyn New York, studying humman services at BMCC.

Emmanuel Gonzalez


Emmanuel Gonzalez


Team Emmanuel "Manny" Gonzalez


165 Pound Open- Phillip Jackson Benson 23 of Gleasons Gym (1 KO, 1 decision, 1 bye) who was a novice champion in 2006 and who reached the open final last year, defeated Michael O'Connor 20 of NYC PAL (2 decisions, 1 bye) who was the the novice
champion at 141 pounds in 2005, O'Connor lives in the Bronx New York.

Phillip Jackson Benson


Laura Ramirez 17 of NYC PAL (1 KO, 1 decision) who is from the Bronx, is a student at Harry S. Truman H.S., Laura Ramirez defeated Ruth O'Sullivan 32 of Gleasons Gym ( 1 decision, 1 bye) who is a social worker at the Supreme Court. O'Sullivan is a two time champion and resides in Brooklyn New York.

Laura Ramirez


Laura Ramirez and Livingstone Joseph


Super Heavyweight Novice- Daniel Torres 26, Black Hand Combat (3 decisions, 1 bye) from East Norwich, L.I., who is employed as a Carpenter, defeated Davone Jones 27 of Gleasons Gym (3 decisions, 1 bye) who is employed as a hospital worker and lives in the Bronx.

Daniel Torres


154 Pound Women- Nisa Rodriguez 17 of Betances Boxing Club (1 KO) is a student at SoBRO in the Bronx. This is Nisa Rodriguez's first Golden Gloves tournament, Rodiguez's win came over Justine Herrera 30 of Gleasons Gym (1 KO) who is an administrator at Columbia University, and who was a finalist in the 2006 Golden Gloves.

Nisa Rodriguez


141 Pound Novice- William S. Whitt 19 of Ardon Sweet Science (4 decisions, 1 bye) who is from Sunset Park Brooklyn, is a field worker for the NYC Human Rights Commission. Whitt defeated Paul Diaz-Laru 30 of Church Street Gym ((1 KO, 4 decisions) who is from the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Diaz-Laru is the manager of the Battery Park Community Center.

William S. Whitt


William S. Whitt and trainer


165 Pound Women- Christina Jensen 19 of Vetereans Memorial Gym (1 decision) who is from L.I., is studying criminal justice at Briarcliffe College. Jensen defeated Jennifer Egan 25 of Gleasons Gym (1 bye) who is a resident of Brooklyn New York. Egan is a teacher at the Shallow Middle School in Bensonhurst.

Christina Jensen


Heavyweight 201 Pound Open- Mitchell Balker 24 of Mendez Boxing Gym (2 decisions) who was born in Suriname and a citizen of the Netherlands, Balker came to New York to compete in the Golden Gloves. Mitchell Balker won a close decision over Norman Neely 18 of NYC PAL (1 bye) who is employed as an elder care worker. Neely resides in the Bronx New York.

Mitchell Balker


Norman Neely


176 Pound Women- Tressa Dugan 32 of NYC PAL (1 bye) who is a recent arrival to Manhattan from Atlanta, is a sales manager at L'Oreal. Tressa Dugan lost a close decision to Iris Y. Murillo 20 of Heavy Hitters Boxing Club ((1 bye) who is from Bay Shore L.I., and works as an administrator at the Stony Brook Hospital.

Tressa Dugan


Team Tressa Dugan


Heavyweight Novice- Jerry Gaspard 28 of Church Street Boxing Gym (3 decisions, 1 bye) who lives in Brooklyn New York, owns and operates a fitness center. Gaspard defeated Ngoli Okafor 33 of Mendez Boxing Gym (2 KO's, 2 decisions) who is employed as a personal trainer and lives in the Bronx.

Jerry Gaspard


Amanda Serrano 19 (1 KO) who is a personal trainer from Bushwick New York, and competing in her second Golden Gloves, pulled off the victory, with a decision over Jody-Ann Weller 29 of New York Boxing Gym (1 decision) who is a research scientist, from Pomona New York, this is Jody-Ann Weller's second trip to the finals. Amanda Serrano is the younger sister of Cindy Serrano who is also a professional fighter.

Amanda Serrano


Jody-Ann Weller


Emile Griffith, "Mean" Joe Green, Sadam "World Kid" Ali, Junior Jones and Brendan Smith


"Mean" Joe Green, Sadam "World Kid" Ali, Junior Jones


Nagy Aguillera and guest attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Female fighter Franchon Crews attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Monte Barrett Junior Jones and "Mean" Joe Green attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Ronny Vargas and Melissa Hernandez attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Cara Castronuova and MC Goddess attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Aaron Davis and Chris Smith attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Vanessa Greco Team Free Form member, attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


Tony Mitchell, the former tennis player attends the 81st Annual Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden, in New York City


©®™ 2007, 2008 All photos by "El Boxing Empress" Keisha Morrisey- Empire Morrisey Studios, for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and Starlite Boxing's Sweetscience all rights reserved