Three Try to 4-Peat at State Golden Gloves

Three Try to 4-Peat at State Golden Gloves
Posted: April 17, 2009

The West is about to meet the East as boxers from across Michigan vie for the title of Michigan Golden Gloves state champion and the opportunity to go to Utah next month for the national tournament.

The 78th Michigan Golden Gloves Championships takes place today and tomorrow beginning at 7:00 p.m. each evening. All competition will be held at the Grand Valley National Guard Armory, 1200 44th St. SW in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids.

Twenty-six bouts will be contested tonight, including twelve open class. This is where the excitement lies as the open class are the only boxers who advance to the nationals and Michigan has three boxers who have won three times in the past and are trying to 4-peat.

Current National Golden Gloves Champion Ernesto Garza III, of Saginaw, is looking for his fourth straight state title and the chance to defend his 119-lb national title, which he won here at home when Grand Rapids hosted the event last year.

MGGA’s Jordan Shimmell is not only looking for his fourth straight title but also to set a state record. If he succeeds, Shimmell will be the first heavyweight (201-lbs) to ever win four state Golden Gloves championships, according to a press release issued by the Michigan Golden Gloves Association. Shimmell had a surprising semi-final loss at last years national competition that he hopes to erase this year.

MLK’s Ryan Schmidt is the elder of the three open class fighters going for a fourth bite of the apple (er, glove). The 24-year old has been boxing for half his life and is no stranger to the national scene having been there several times with his best coming as a silver winner in 2002. Unlike Garza and Shimmell who are back-to-back-to-back state champs, Schmidt won his titles in 2002, 2004 and 2005 and has put his aspirations of turning pro on hold following his loss at last years state tourney. Schmidt is fighting at featherweight, or 125-lbs.

In addition, two dozen other outstanding open class as well as novice fighters will be competing at the annual event this weekend.