Four Return Home with Titles from Senior Open Regionals
Posted: February 25, 2008
by: Kronk amateur boxer, and Regionals participant, Leandre White

Editor’s Note: Four Michigan boxers returned from Illinois on Sunday with regional titles to their credit. Sportssummary was not in attendance but Kronk boxer – and competitor at the tournament – Leandre White was kind enough to share some comments on the four champions’ fights. While not traditional reporting, it is presented here nonetheless as a unique view of an event that would otherwise not be reported.

DAY 1

Latonya King moved up to the 119 pound weight class due to the female weight classes being modified through the rules of AIBA and USA Boxing.
This was Latonya King’s first fight in a year and two months but she showed no ring rust. Latonya boxed her way easy through the fight against Tiffany Perez of Illinois landing big right hands and hooks.

Leandre White also won his second straight U.S Regional title at his new weight class of 152 pounds. Leandre faced off with Nathan Venezuela from Chicago, Illinois. Leandre boxed very easy landing jabs and hooks at will. It was the third round when White began to tire and Nathan tried to get aggressive. Leandre White came out strong in the fourth round hurting Nathan and pulling out the win.

Craig Lewis also winning his second straight U.S regional title but this year as a Kronk team mate. Craig fought Kentucky’s Ray Gonzalez. This was Craig’s best fight on the Kronk team winning his fight with a first round K.O. Craig came out of the corner and landed hard jabs with big right hands. Little after a minute, Craig threw a one-two which hurt Ray and then landed two big uppercuts dropping his opponent. Ray beat the count but his corner stopped the fight.

Day 2

Latonya King faced off with another girl from Illinois, but in a much easier fight against Tiffany Griffen. Latonya found it hard to find Griffen as she ran the entire fight. Throwing under 20 punches in the fight, Tonya boxed to a easy win.

Leandre White faced Eddie Alicea for the fourth time - with all four fights in favor of Leandre White. The 152-lb championship fight brought out everyone’s video camera and put the crowd to their feet. Leandre White boxed well landing a big left hand throughout the fight winning a 4 round decision.

Craig Lewis faced off with a strong and wild fighter from Indiana. The fight was wild and ugly, but it was Craig landing the big clean shots to win the fight. [Editor’s Note: The opponent’s name was not known at press time]

For the fourth Michigan champion, Ryan Schmidt from M.G.G.A won his championship bout in the 119 weight class. Ryan boxed great in his first open tourney hurting his Indiana opponent with several body shots and big right hands. During the bout, Ryan was elbowed and had to receive seven stitches over his left eye. [Editor’s Note: The opponent’s name was not known at press time]