By Anthony Bosco
At 6-foot-7, there isn’t a lot that goes over Michael Jakab’s head. But the Bayside boxer has a pretty tall order to fill later this month when he heads for Colorado Springs, Colo. to take part in the Open division U.S. Nationals.
Jakab, the reigning New York Daily News Golden Gloves Novice Division SuperHeavyweight champion, earned a trip to nationals with a walkover win on the Metros followed by two decision wins at the Northeastern Regionals, held in Utica on Feb. 22.
He will compete against the country’s best amateur boxers at the national tournament, which is just one of several necessary steps a fighter must take to qualify for the Olympic team. He could have as many as five fights during the tournament, which will take place March 22-28.
“It’s a big thing,” Jakab admitted about his upcoming trip to nationals. “I’m just going there trying to make a name for myself. It’s an Olympic year. I got to do what I got to do to make that Olympic team. A lot of dedication goes into it.”
Jakab has had a fistful of success with only a handful of fights. He started his amateur boxing career just two years ago at the Westbury Police Athletic League, training under Tom Molloy, a former professional fighter.
Last year Jakab ran through his five opponents to win the Novice SuperHeavyweight crown and has since had one club fight — another win — and his two victories at the Northeastern Regionals.
“The competition was good,” Jakab said of the Northeastern Regionals. “I’m 6-foot-7. I didn’t think there would be anybody my size, but they both were.”
The Novice division is for fighters with minimal experience, while the Open division, where Jakab finds himself now, is for fighters fresh out of the Novice class all the way through the top Olympic hopefuls.
If dedication and determination are any indication of what lies ahead for Jakab, things should go smoothly in Colorado. According to Molloy, Jakab’s strengths, in addition to his 6-foot-7, 250-pound frame, are that the 22-year-old boxer, who will turn 23 March 10, is extremely busy for a big man and has a tireless work ethic.
“He’s rapidly gaining a lot of knowledge,” Molloy said. “He’s a good student. He picks things up well. He trains very hard.”
Jakab first tried boxing at the suggestion of friend Eric Camacho. At first Jakab was just working out in the gym but started to take things more seriously as last year’s Golden Gloves tournament approached.
He entered and surprised even himself by winning the Novice class title.
“I didn’t think I’d win it, but I did,” Jakab said.
And while he knows winning at nationals will be difficult, Jakab said he is determined to continue his boxing career, no matter what happens.
“I’m more excited than nervous,” he said. “My competition is getting harder, but I’m standing up to it. I’d like to see myself on a box of Wheaties, I guess.
“I gave up a lot,” Jakab added. “I intend to follow [boxing] as a pro as well. I’m just trying to get up as much experience as I can.”
Jakab, who works a day job with Evergreen Recycling, said that if he finished in the top four at nationals, he gets a ticket to fight in the U.S. Challenge. If he is successful there, the next step is the U.S. Olympic Trials, followed by the Olympic Box-Offs.
Molloy is hopeful, as well.
“It’s all about experience at this point,” Molloy said. “I stay on him, I keep pressure on him. Whatever I teach he seems to pick up on. I’d like to try to steer him toward the Olympics. Hopefully we’ll come out on top.”
Jakab is also trying to win a second New York Daily News Golden Gloves title, this time in the Open class. He received a first-round bye and is slated to fight Friday at the Manhattan PAL.
Reach Sports Editor Anthony Bosco by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 130.
