The fights came to Queens as the oldest boxing tradition in the country took center stage at Holy Cross High School in Flushing on Friday, January 22.
Amateur boxers from all corners of the metropolitan area came to blows competing in the 165-pound novice division of the New York Daily News Golden Gloves; some bouts barely lasted past the opening bell, while others pushed the pugilists to the three-round limit, delighting the crowd below.
One of the more exciting fights of the night involved College Point product Daniel Marmol. The Holy Cross alum went the full three rounds against Francisco Suero, but lost on a decision, incurring a bloody nose along the way.
“I knew I was in trouble once my nose started bleeding,” said Marmol. “It felt good to get out there. I’ve always played physical sports and when I saw the fights last year, I knew I wanted to give it a try.”
Marmol fought hard and gave his all for a large crowd of supporters, who screamed his name and pounded on the bleachers trying to will him to victory. But his opponent had other ideas, landing a big left uppercut that changed the complexion of the fight and of Marmol’s face.
“I thought he hit me with his head,” said Marmol. “Not intentionally, but I thought that’s what bloodied my nose.”
Still, fighting for the home crowd gave Marmol some satisfaction, even though he did not get quite the result he wanted.
“It felt good fighting for all the people who showed up,” said Marmol. “I wend to [Holy] Cross, so I knew a lot of people would show up. I just wish it went differently.”
Marmol was not the only local who took shots for the crowd’s enjoyment. In the first bout of the evening, Queens resident Michael Omojola was dazed by Edgar Reyes, causing the ref to stop the fight with two seconds left in the first round.
Reyes, who is a fighterfighter with Engine 84 in Washington Heights, surprised himself with a flurry of punches to Omojola’s face and midsection.
“I didn’t think it would end so quickly,” said Reyes.
The P.C. Richard & Son Boxer of the Night Award went to Douglas Milano of Sound Beach, Long Island. The 25-year-old needed only 31 seconds into the second round to dispose of Junior Vargas, who staggered along the ropes after absorbing punishing blows from Milano.
