Christopher Rivera prevails in first week of Southern New England Golden Gloves
FALL RIVER — Christopher Rivera prevailed on enemy turf. Not that it was easy.
The lefthander from Punishment Striking Systems in Swansea scored a split decision win over fellow southpaw Avant Hazard, of the Fall River Police Athletic League, at 165 pounds novice Saturday night on the opening night of the Southern New England Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament, at the PAL Hall.
The tournament continues the next two Saturday nights (Jan. 21, 28) at the PAL, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and bell time at 7 p.m. Tickets ($30) may be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 508-491-6151.
Punishment Striking Systems went 1-for-2 on split decisions this past Saturday. Giovanni Lopez dropped a split to Nicholas Palmer of the Big Six gym at 203-plus pounds sub-novice.
Rivera, 22, from Milford and a 2022 New England champion, put his skills and smarts to use in defeating Hazard.
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“Very impressive,” Punishment Striking Systems owner/trainer Aaron Bernardo said. “He controlled the pace of the fight he was able to use his lead hand to control the outside then blitz inside and finish strong with his inside game. Avant is a very good boxer but I was confident he hadn’t been in there with someone who has as many tools or is as skilled as Chris.
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“It’s always exciting seeing two skilled southpaws go at it and those two didn’t disappoint in the main event.”
Opening night of the ‘23 SNEGG, promoted by Paul Morrissette, consisted of 11 bouts. Seven of the bouts went the full three rounds.
The results:
119 pounds special – Serina Grant (Gomes Gym) def.Jule Vanamerfoort (Hard Knocks) unan. dec.
125 sub novice – Justo Colon (Veloz Gym) def Gabriel Herrera Sanchez (Black Bet Boxing) unan. dec.
139 sub novice – Matthew Collis (ishop’s Gym) def. John Cloutier (Hard Knocks) rsc 1:15 Round 3.
147 sub novice – Sean Carr (KO Boxing) def. Tommy Powers (Bishop’s Gym) rsc 1:40 Round 2.
156 sub novice – C.J. Dummett (401 Boxing) def. Wehjla Wehjla (Big Six) unan. dec.
165 sub novice – Erick Baptista (401 Boxing) def. Kevin Deleon (Big Six) rsc 0:55 Round 2.
203 sub novice – Christian Sallas (Heart Boxing) def. Michael Brooks (Punishment Striking Systems) corner abandons bout 1:11 Round 2.
203-plus sub novice – Nicholas Palmer (Big 6) def. Giovanni Lopez (Punishment Striking Systems) split dec.
139 novice – Xavier Maceachern (Cappiello Brothers) def. Gustavo Matos (Bishop’s Gym) unan. dec.
165 novice – Jancel Castro-Guante (401 Boxing) def. Sean Redmond (Stay Ready) split dec.
165 novice – Christopher Rivera (Punishment Striking Systems) def. Avant Hazard (Fall River PAL) split dec.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Southern New England Golden Gloves returns to Fall River Saturdays
