Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio Sponsors Golden Gloves
Tournament to Showcase Top South Texas Amateur Boxers
San Antonio -- Feb. 2, 2006

Amateur boxers from around South Texas will don their gloves to compete in the annual Golden Gloves competition in San Antonio, Feb. 21-25, at 7 p.m. each evening. All matches will be held at the at Bennett Fitness Center, KellyUSA. Admission is $8 on Feb. 21-23 and $12 on Feb. 24-25.

Proceeds from the local tournament will benefit the positive youth development programs offered at the Boys and Girls Clubs, ranging from the arts and education to technology and sports. Tournament winners go on to compete at the state level in Fort Worth, Feb. 28-March 4.

Approximately 150 male and female boxers ages 17 to 34 will compete in 11 weight classes. Among those competing this year is Jonathan Gover and Hector Ramos, who won the 2005 Texas state title in their weight classes. Gover ended 2005 as the number two-ranked amateur lightweight by USA Boxing.

"Amateur Boxing offers an opportunity for many disadvantaged youth to learn positive life skills such as discipline, commitment and the importance of working toward goals," said Jim Watson, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio.

"The Golden Gloves program provides an alternative to our youth by keeping them off the streets and eliminating the many temptations to become involved in drug- and gang-related activities. As an alternative, Golden Gloves provides a positive lifetime experience by developing social and physical skills," said Watson.
Tournament sponsors include Sherriff Ralph Lopez, BudCo, Sunrise Rotary, R&L Foods, Inc. and The Watermark Group.

About Golden Gloves
The Golden Gloves is an annual competition for amateur boxing in the United States. The contest is sponsored and controlled by the Golden Gloves Association of America, Inc. The Golden Gloves Program currently has 30 franchises spanning from the New England states to Hawaii. State winners then compete in the national competition, called the Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions.

The Golden Gloves originated in 1923 when Arch Ward, the sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, put together an amateur boxing tournament to assist young boxers and promote amateur competition. Each weight division winner received a small golden glove as an award. More than 400 local boxers competed in that first tournament which was held in the old Chicago Stadium. The popularity of the first event was so widespread that soon newspapers around the country began sponsoring tournaments in other areas and the champions traveled to New York and Chicago for national competition.

Many former Golden Glovers have gone on to become outstanding boxers and role models in our country. Former Heavyweight champion of the World, Joe Louis, was a Golden gloves champion in 1934. Many other champions including Muhammed Ali (1960), Sugar Ray Leonard (1973) Marvin "Marvelous" Hagler (1973), Michael Spinks (1974), Evander Holyfield (1984) and Oscar De La Hoya (1989) all got their start in Golden Gloves. In addition, San Antonio's own Jesse James Lejia, a.k.a. "The Texas Tornado," was a San Antonio Golden Gloves champion.

About the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio
Founded in 1939, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio serve more than 6,000 members annually at five branch locations. Clubs provide after school and summer program services that develop talents, values and skills in youth ages six-to-18 years old, paying particular attention to those most disadvantaged. As a result of the Clubs programs, young people are inspired and enabled to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.