Jahareer Robinson saw red on his way to the P.C. Richard & Son Boxer of the Night honors at Variety Boys & Girls Club in Long Island City Wednesday. Robinson started aggressively and charged harder when his opponent’s blood appeared.
“If I was bloodied, he would have came at me the same way,” he said after his victory over Jin Ooi (Gleason’s Gym),” Robinson said. “He seemed like a nice kid after the fight, but inside the ring it’s all business. There’s no joke.”
In the first round, Robinson landed several good punches, but appeared as if he had run out of steam due to his constant pursuit. His stamina remained impressive throughout. In the second came a brutal left hook that forced Ooi into a standing eight count, but Ooi returned for more. The bloodied Ooi stood tough, but Robinson took the decision 5-0.
“My coach tells me to come out with everything behind the jab,” he said. “Throw punches in bunches. Everything’s got to be in numbers.”
The fifth bout of the night was an absolute brawl between Grover Bellido (Freeport PAL) and Austin Gray (Newburgh BC) in which neither fighter gave an inch. The 114-pounders went toe to toe for the duration of their quarterfinal matchup, trading punches and standing eight counts. Gray delivered his hook to Bellido’s jaw in the second and went home with the Empire City Casino Punch of the Night. The endurance of both boxers powered them through to the end. Shrugging off his bloodied nose, the 16-year-old Gray took the decision 4-1.
“His trainer (Joe Higgins) is well-known, so I wanted to knock him out,” Gray said. “He was a tough guy so it was hard. My trainer just kept saying to throw jabs and box, and that’s not really my style. I try brawling with everybody.”
Before the bouts began, the venue held an hour-long clinic for an eager group of youngsters who they learned the basics of boxing.
“Since last year, our objective is to expose low-income children to a variety of sports at a quality level like the Golden Gloves,” Eric Mathews, director of operations for Minor Miracles said. “If they’re interested, it gives kids an inspiration by seeing something at this high level.”
“It also allows them to meet the people surrounding the Gloves fights,” he added. “They meet (Golden Goves Tournament director) Brian Adams, a three-time champ who works for the Daily News. What a great example for inner-city kids.”
Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens is always eager to put on the Gloves.
“We’re about promoting opportunity for kids,” executive director Terry Hughes said. “The Golden Gloves represents amateur boxing. It’s a community type event.”
The Golden Gloves is back in action Thursday at the Ring 8 sponsored Plattduetsche Park Restaurant in Franklin Square. Check out nydailynews.com/goldengloves for scheduling details and interactive polls.
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