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Boxing

Golden Gloves event set

By VINCENT THOMAS
Published March 12, 2006

For the first time in Hernando County history, the Florida Association District Golden Gloves Championships are coming to town. But it's coming a little later than expected and at a different site.

Amateur boxers from all over Florida would have been sweating up the Jerome Brown Center this weekend.

The three-day event was to be held through today at the recreational center named after the legendary Brooksville native and former Philadelphia Eagle. Instead, the tournament will be at the National Guard armory on Spring Hill Drive, March 24-26.

Cecil Lalas runs Ambassador Boxing Club on County Line Road in Hudson. He was tabbed to organize this year's Golden Gloves. He got the call from USA Boxing Jan. 5 to organize the tournament.

In late February, however, Lalas learned that several potential fighters would be participating in the 2006 U.S. Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo. So it was decided to postpone the tournament. Around that same time, Lalas decided to change venues.

"The Jerome Brown Center is a great site, but for a lot of out-of-towners, it's difficult to locate," Lalas said.

Aside from the National Guard being easier to access, it's a larger venue and Lalas expects "a great turnout" from the public. The facility became open when a new colonel took over, said Lalas. The former colonel was concerned about security issues.

"Yeah, that colonel got transferred," said Lalas, chuckling at his good fortune.

Several Hernando boxers, including Joe Distefano, Gio Galozza and Arnaldo Mendoza are expected to participate along with more than 100 other boxers.

Lalas said he welcomed the postponement, which has allowed him a few extra weeks to nail down logistics and tie up loose ends.

"It's been tough pulling this all together," said Lalas, adding, "It's great for Hernando."

[Last modified March 12, 2006, 01:17:10]