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WEST HAVEN — A West Haven 11-year-old became a national champion Friday after claiming the U.S. Junior Olympics boxing title for his age group.
West Haven resident Amanda Tiffany said her son, Preston Tiffany, was introduced to MMA boxing in 2011. He began training at Foley’s Mixed Martial Arts Training Center in Ogden and has since traveled to several states and competed in 56 amateur fights, including the recent Junior Olympic Four Corner Regional Championship held in Ogden May 22-23.
After Preston claimed the title for his 11-12-year-old age group and 70 pound weight limit at regionals, he advanced to the USA Boxing Junior Olympic National Championships held in Charleston, West Virginia. He won his matches Wednesday and Thursday, advancing him to the national championship on Friday.
Preston said he felt confident during the championship match and knew that he had been victorious. However, he said his confidence during that fight was a big change from when he started fighting four years earlier.
“I knew I won,” Preston said. “I knew I destroyed the fight. I had him on his heels a couple times… (But,) my first day going to the gym, I was pretty scared. I didn’t think I would be that good… Now, I’m begging to go to the gym everyday.”
Preston’s coach, David Foley, owns Foley’s Mixed Martial Arts Training Center and said he has also seen a big change in Preston during his last four years of competing.
“Me and his father have been in his corner since the very beginning of his fighting career and we’ve watched him lose so many close fights. So many,” Foley said. “We’ve seen him lose so many more than he’s won. But every time he’s lost, it’s been so close that he knew he could have won the fight. And he didn't let it get to him like so many kids do.”
Foley said Preston’s confidence has helped him become a top competitor and given him an edge that most athletes don’t have.
“I’ve honestly never seen a kid channel the confidence and belief in himself that he has,” Foley said. “You can sense it off of this kid. When he gets in there to fight, other coaches, other people looking in the ring can sense a little bit of swagger, a confidence. They know he’s there and they know he believes he can win the tournament.”
Preston said he plans to frame his gold medal and will compete in the Junior Golden Gloves in July.
