In Golden Gloves competition, boxer beats street fighterThe two heavyweights entered the ring at the Kansas City Golden Gloves regional finals as the main attraction. Jeremiah Graziano, who looks the part of a black-and-white movie tough guy with his square jaw, danced in the blue corner, and the underdog Kevin “K9” Todd in the red. Graziano’s career is on the rise, and he expects to turn pro by the summer. Todd brags that he has been in more than 200 fights, but only 11 in the ring, and lost a recent street scrap because the other guy had a gun. They were fighting to represent Kansas City in the national Golden Gloves championships in May. On Saturday night, the boxer beat the street fighter. Graziano won in the third round when the referee stepped in. Only one boxer on the night’s bout sheet did not have a club representing him. Under Todd’s name was the word “unattached” because he has no home. He only has Esteban Leon, a 70-year-old veteran who wants respect. “This is the biggest opportunity you’ll ever have, this night tonight,” Leon told Todd. Todd needed the national Golden Gloves tournament. But he really just wanted to get out of Kansas City. Todd, a Central High dropout, has lost one brother here. “It’ll give me something more to look forward to than these problems going on in my life,” Todd said. “I’d rather die in the ring than on the curb.” Hours before the bout, Todd scanned the darkened room and tried to spot Graziano among the 800 fans. “Don’t get popcorn! Make sure you go use the bathroom because it’s going to be all over in a matter of minutes!” trainer Keith Shudduth said. “He’s so cold, they call him ‘Wyson’ because he’s white and he fights like Tyson.” Graziano, 21, moved from Oregon to Kansas City to become the next great heavyweight. In 13 months, he has compiled a 23-1 record and won two national championships. Todd knew this and came out trying to throw knockout punches. Graziano only aimed at his head through the first two rounds, then found Todd’s ribs and his belly. The crowd sensed a knockout and chanted, “Wyson! Wyson!” “He was hurting,” Graziano said. “He didn’t like the body shots.” Graziano then connected a left and right to Todd’s head, and the referee stopped the fight. Todd walked back to his corner for Leon’s comfort, and Graziano threw his hands up, heading to a more glorious place. To reach Candace Buckner, call 816-234-4389, or send e-mail to cbuckner@kcstar.com
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Boxing brothers atone for defeatOne thing was certain Friday night at the 73rd Annual Golden Gloves Regional Championship: Don’t mess with the Riveras. When Nieko Rivera, 18, lost his bout in the 132-pound open division — by all accounts an upset by Spencer Ward — his older brothers atoned for the defeat at Ararat Shine Auditorium. Jesse Rivera and Ray Rivera Jr. won their divisions and advanced to tonight’s championship round for the chance to fight in the national Golden Gloves tournament in May in Grand Rapids, Mich. While Jesse, the middle of the boxing brothers at 19 years old, patiently measured his 141-pound opponent Drew Hartman and won by decision, the oldest, Ray Jr., pounded Arrias Dawkins in the 152-pound bout that was stopped in the first round. Both brothers said they felt added motivation after watching Ward defeat Nieko on the referee’s decision to stop the contest in the second round. “I was thinking I had to step up from that loss,” Jesse said. “I can’t let my family go out like that.” Ray Jr., 21, expressed shock after watching his baby brother lose. “I didn’t think anyone could beat my brother here,” Ray Jr. said about Nieko’s experience that includes more than 60 bouts. “It made me dig even harder to redeem the family name.” If the brothers can win again tonight, they’ll repeat as national championship qualifiers. Nieko and Ray Jr. made the trip last year, but Jesse stayed home because nationals conflicted with his high school graduation from Northeast. Ward, a 19-year-old boxer from Overland Park, seeks his first trip to the national tournament but now has momentum after upsetting Nieko Rivera. Several times in the second round, Ward worked Rivera to the ropes, delivering a combination of body punches. “My dad was yelling ‘You got him!’ he said of his trainer, Doug Ward. “I was just keeping at him.” Visibly fatigued, Rivera barely punched back and after a standing-eight count. The referee then stepped in. Ray Rivera Sr., the boys’ father and trainer, blamed the loss on Nieko’s diet. Ray Sr. said his son had refused to eat since Wednesday to fight within the 132-pound limit. Paul Harness (178 pounds) from Lee’s Summit also advanced to the regional championship round as well as Michael Guerrero (152), who automatically won when his opponent did not show up. To reach Candace Buckner, send e-mail to cbuckner@kcstar.com |