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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s been more than two decades since the state of Utah had a Golden Gloves boxing national champion.
South Ogden’s Diego Alvarez hopes to break the long-suffering streak.
Alvarez defeated Detroit fighter Tommy Robinson, 4-1, in the 114-pound classification in the semifinals of the Golden Gloves national tournament Friday evening at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
The 17-year-old lightweight will vie for a national title in a national championship bout Saturday at 7 p.m. MT, hoping to become Utah’s first Golden Gloves national champion since 1991.
“I knew this was possible,” Alvarez said. “I am really passionate about my career.
“It feels great. It all pays off.”
Alvarez and Robinson felt each other out during a slow first round that saw neither boxer take much of an advantage. But the high school student at Two Rivers High in Ogden came out swinging in the second round. Alvarez put Robinson on the ropes, pushing up against the edge of the ring with a flurry of body shots before striking the Detroit fighter’s head as he dropped his guard.
“I just used my technique to get him at the right time,” Alvarez said. “He was soft balling.
“I felt better, and feel less nervous.”
The rest of the bout was a formality after the severe pummeling from which Robinson never recovered.
“I adjusted to the fight,” Alvarez said. “I felt (the momentum). He kept hugging me.”
Alvarez’s sole focus has been on the championships. He completes his homework from Two Rivers in the morning or online, and cheekily admits he hasn’t been to class in over a week.
His teachers and classmates understand, of course.
“I just do my homework at home, they exempt me, and they know I’m here,” he said. “I just work out. We don’t really work out. I just have to stay on weight, then sleep and wake up.”
Alvarez will try to be the first Utah national champion since Sampson Pouha won the heavyweight title in 1991. His ride to the final has been marked by a series of resounding results. Alvarez cruised to a 4-1 decision over Pennsylvania’s Rasheed Brown in Wednesday’s opening round.
In the quarterfinals, Alvarez handily defeated St. Louis’ Timothy Jarman by unanimous decision, 5-0.
