Top 3 Champs at Silver Gloves!

It is fitting that the 2011 Region VIII Silver Gloves Championships were held at Victory Park in Pasadena, California, especially since there were so many victories to be celebrated in and out of the ring.

Thousands of amateur boxers from California, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Hawaii competed in district, state and regional tournaments for the chance to advance to this recent showdown held in sunny SoCal. One thing I love about amateur boxing is meeting the youngsters and their families from all over the U.S. These kids WILL be the faces we will watch in future Olympic Games and these young males (and females) WILL be the ones we will cheer as the next World Champions too.

When the dust cleared and the gloves came off, several champs were crowned in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior divisions. For all the boxers who clinched this regional title, they advance to the National Silver Gloves Tournament taking place February 2-5 in Independence, Missouri.

But for three of the boys (ages 10-15), they also proved to be “the best” of the very best.

Digging just a little deeper, shining just a tad brighter, these youths were chosen to receive the prestigious award after days of fierce competition drew to a close. Not lacking in talent, determination, heart or guts, this champion trio rose above a talented crop of fighters from the seven states.

So just who was the “Best in the West”?

In this special report, you will meet Andres Borrego, Evan Sanchez and Gary Salazar, the three young athletes who were named the 2011 Region 8’s “Outstanding Boxer” winners for their extra impressive showing in the SG finals.

The champ in the Junior category, 11-year-old Andres Borrego, almost missed out on receiving his winning plaque. The power puncher from Sloan’s Lake Boxing Club was already en route back to snowy Denver when his name was announced. Colorado Coach Jeff Byrd (whose son Louie is an amateur standout) accepted the award for the 90-pounder as calls were put in to Team Borrego.

Turning around and traveling back to Pasadena was worth the drive for trainer and boxer. Mike Quintana is Andres’ coach and uncle. “We were about 45 miles away when I got the call saying, ‘Andres won an award; come back!'” the friendly trainer tells me with a laugh. “So we turned around and came back.”

Upon picking up the best souvenir of all from their visit to Cali, Coach Quintana and Borrego received congrats from the crowd as they collected the award. As Andres checked out his newest trinket, I asked the young man about his time in L.A. “It was awesome!” he grinned, while holding his plaque. “I really liked it here–and this was even better than last year!”

His trainer was happy hard work paid off. “This is our second year going to Kansas City; we went in 2010 at 85 pounds,” Quintana explains. The love of the sport runs in their family. “I’ve been like a father figure to Andres,” he says of his nephew. “His co-trainer is my dad Michael R. Quintana, and I am following in my dad’s footsteps.”

Their turnaround was worth the effort but now the duo has to return home. After spending some extra time enjoying Andre’s newest achievement, Mike says goodbye, adding, “We’re heading back to Denver now. It’s about a 19-hour drive for us…right into snow and a blizzard!”

The next little warrior announced was 12-year-old Evan Sanchez, the winner in the Intermediate division. The tough 80-pounder hails from the Parlier Boxing Club. “We are just south of Fresno,” his father Omar Sanchez says. His son was very humble, well-spoken and thoughtful in accepting his award.

“It’s an honor to be recognized as an outstanding athlete representing California amongst many great boxers,” Evan relayed. “I can only feel proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish at such as early age.”

“And thank you for all your help, Michele,” Omar adds when I mention that I was going to write a column about the three victors. Support for the amateurs doesn’t come nearly as easy as it does in the pros. But Team Sanchez is another example of the true dedication and faith in boxing that the fighters and their families must hold onto for years and years–and I believe in supporting their efforts.

Another fighter on the way to the top is the pride of Fresno, 15-year-old Gary Salazar, the “Outstanding Boxer” in the Seniors. This Young Gun sharpshooter has already made his name known in the amateurs as he continues to earn armfuls of title belts during his journey. While Joe Zanders calls him up into the ring, just a few championships from the titlist’s resumé are read, “Silver Gloves National Champ 2009 and 2010 at 112, National Junior Golden Gloves Champ, PAL Champion, and National Junior Olympic Champ at 114.”

Stepping down from the canvas, the well-liked boxer was instantly surrounded by friends, family, and other fighters from various clubs. As his sister watched on, Gary got the full “rock star” treatment as the flashbulbs went off. Currently competing at 119, he is an integral part of the Region 8 squad now training for next month’s Nationals.

And after countless bouts were fought, the “Chosen Three” each received a unique “Outstanding Boxers” plaque on the final day of this USA Boxing tournament. And this was no ordinary plaque. The winners were honored with a very special award to take home. This year, the Pasadena Mexican-American History Association (PMAHA) began the first-ever Canto Robledo Living Memorial Plaque. Made of walnut with a gold engraved nameplate, the prize features a photo of the large bronze wall relief by artist and boxing trainer Steve Harpst that is mounted at the nearby Villa Parke Community Center. Robledo was a Crown City trainer who lost his eyesight during his own professional prizefighting career. Now PMAHA hopes to inspire the children with this new trophy plaque.

The PMAHA organization also had a booth displaying a 3D statue of the “Canto and Kids” that is depicted on both the wall relief and the “Outstanding Boxer” plaques. Introduced in the ring by Joe Zanders, Region 8 Director and National Coach for the U.S. Olympics, were “TNT” Robledo’s son, Joe, sculptor Harpst, California State Athletic Commission Executive Director George Dodd, USA Boxing President Hal Adonis, hometown hero Joey “The Pasadena Kid” Olivera, Horace Wormely, City of Pasadena’s Deputy Director of Human Resources, the city’s Chief of Police Philip Sanchez, among many other city officials and boxing luminaries lending their support to youth boxing.

While watching the three winners claim their award, I chat with longtime Pasadena boxing trainer Fausto De La Torre. He was happy to have the Silver Gloves in Pasadena. He also comments that the town’s police department has given his club (which helps keep kids off the streets and away from gangs, drugs and crime) strong support. “Chief Sanchez has been great,” De La Torre enthuses. “He’s been a huge supporter of the boxing program and youth sports here.”

As the winners were congratulated by the crowd, we observed the rugged young sluggers get recognition for their skill and discipline on the canvas. Advancing to the finals and winning this additional honor was icing on the cake for these future stars in boxing. While the youngsters had mile-wide smiles, there were many proud coaches and even prouder parents as each hard-fought victory was earned.

Coach Zanders looked on and remarked that he is very proud of all the boxers in Region 8.

Converging in California, the little pugilists squared off against their state challengers but as they continue on to Kansas City, the boxers–most whom have known each other while growing up in the ranks–forge a new bond while they regroup as the Region 8 Team while heading to the Nationals. But for three of the Region 8 finalists, they share a permanent bond of being the 2011 “Outstanding Boxers.”

In these exclusive photos, check out the Top 3 as they earned the top prize for their memorable performances inside the squared circle.

Congratulations again to Andres Borrego, Evan Sanchez and Gary Salazar.

Photos by Michele Chong