Seven years ago, Peter Lawson was scrapping with another teenager on the streets of South Ozone Park. It was nothing new. From time to time, he fought when differences arose.
It was, however, on that occasion when his boxing career began.
Mo Sims, a local boxing trainer who lived in the neighborhood, approached Lawson after watching him get the best of a kid 50 pounds heftier. Because of his technical style and fluid motions, Sims wondered if Lawson had ever fought before in a boxing gym. He had not, but Lawson would soon enough.
Two years ago, the John Adams graduate and 26-year-old hospital volunteer won the novice division of the Daily News Golden Gloves. After fractured ribs just prior to last year’s competition forced him to pull out, Lawson is back in the amateur tournament. Last week he advanced to the semifinals of the 178-pound open division by out-pointing defending novice champion Jay Rodriguez of Glendale, 3-2.
Lawson took to boxing immediately. He, after all, was always a fighter, just not accustomed to a ring and having his performance judged.
“The boxing wasn’t the hard part, it was the training that got me, the discipline, the footwork,” he said. “It was like learning how to walk all over again. When you are fighting, you always lead with the hand you write with. In boxing, you lead with the opposite hand. Once I got used to it, I adapted real good.”
For Lawson to win a second Golden Gloves title, he will have to get by Will Rosinsky, the three-time defending champion in his class. The Queens College student also fought overseas in the World Amateur Championships and national amateur tournaments in America, but Lawson is not intimidated.
“I’d definitely like to fight him,” he said. “He’s won it three years in a row. The division is his. He is the best in New York. If I am going to do it, I want to test my limits. In order for me to win it, I have to go through him. If I feel I’m the best, which I do, that’s the person I want to fight.”
Also advancing to the semifinals in the open division were Rosinsky, who took a 5-0 decision from Harjo Sujaj, and Jamaica native Kareem Gittens in the 178-pound novice division, who edged Rondy Marji, 3-2.
Next bouts in LIC
The 81st annual Daily News Golden Gloves returns to Queens Friday, March 14 at the Variety Boys & Girls Club in Long Island City, located at 21-12 30th Road.
Admission is $20. Tickets are available at the door.
Limited seating. Non-refundable. First come, first served. Everyone in attendance will receive a free $10 gift certificate for P.C. Richard & Son. For more information, call 718-728-0946.
