By William Green
Wrists were wrapped and gloves were laced for the latest rounds of the Golden Gloves. Thursday, January, 24, 2019, Gabriel Morales, fighting out of Lawrence’s Intenze 978 Boxing stepped into the ring. The Dracut resident was the only fighter Intenze Coach Jose Madera cornered on the third week of action at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Madera’s Intenze team was undefeated exiting the first two weeks of the Lowell Golden Gloves. Martinez looked good and Madera joked about having two of his fighters in the finals at 141 lbs. Last week’s victor in the weight class, Jimmy Colon, also fights out of Madera’s Lawrence gym. The jokes faded with Morales’ loss coming by unanimous decision.
Martinez, a union carpenter by day, had a great attitude about his bout with South Boston’s Anthony Cefalo out of Peter Welch’s Gym. He is realistic about the decision but feels that the fight was close. Cefalo may have agreed as he messaged Martinez and remarked on how tough an opponent the rookie gloves contender was.
A personal goal was to compete in the Golden Gloves and Martinez has completed that in a big way. He made his boxing debut in one of the most competitive regional tournaments in the sport. That takes more than just physical ability – it takes mental toughness. A side effect disciplined training it has had additional benefits. He has grown mentally, in family [relationships], and even how he feeds his body.
Coach Tommy Clermont, a Lowell resident and union driver, trains fighters out of Intenze and said that Martinez fought well. He was absolutely supportive of the fighter he trains and stated, “Win together, lose together. [We’ll] go back and train harder.” Clermont has nearly thirty years of combat sports experience and is putting that into getting Martinez ready for his next fight.
The competition continues as Madera has two fighters representing the city next week: Carlos Alonzo, coming off of a bye week and a win January 17th, and Kevin Rodriguez. This will be Rodriguez’s first appearance in the 2019 Golden Gloves but he’s been here before. He fought in the 2018 Golden Gloves and comes into the competition with fifteen fights under his belt.
Rodriguez earned the praise from Intenze coach Dave Barstow. “He’s a good fighter.” Barstow said of the aspiring boxing star.
