National
JO Crowns Three Michigan Champions Five Michigan amateurs traveled the 450 miles from the Detroit area to Marquette, and the home of Northern Michigan University, for the 37th annual national Junior Olympics Championships that were contested June 17-20. Garden City’s Daniel Smith (201+ lbs), just barely in the open class with under 15 fights, Lincoln Park’s Erick DeLeon (125 lbs), with more than 65 fights, and Port Huron’s Valerie Farley (132 lbs, Female) each claimed national gold in this year’s tournament. All three young boxers are from the metro Detroit area and represented the six-state Great Lakes region after winning both regional and state competitions earlier this year. Dynamic Boxing’s Smith decisioned Tino Dominguez, of California, to win his first national tournament, after a first round stoppage of Texas’ Orlando Olmeda the day before. Kronk’s DeLeon defeated four other boxers in order to win his first national JO title. A 13-9 win over Joel Diaz of California clinched the championship but only after wins over Damon Allen of Philadelphia, Abel Navarrete of Texas and Jose Arumbula of Illinois. Michigan’s lone female boxer of the tourney was Big Dog’s Valerie Farley who, like Smith, is new to the open class but made her debut in fine fashion winning after three bouts during the four-days. A decision over Asa Stevenson won the title, which followed a points win against Texas’ Jasmine Acevedo and a mandatory stoppage of Jennifer Sanchez of California. Two Michigan boxers were not as fortunate, despite valiant efforts. Warriors’ Alejandro Hernandez (106 lbs), of Detroit, competed and won in preliminary and quarterfinal action but lost to California’s Edwin Sandoval in the semi-finals on Thursday. Sandoval then lost on Friday. Big Dog’s Anthony Lindsay lost by mandatory stoppage, after a 15-0 point disadvantage, in the preliminary round to Texas’ George Rincon, who after winning in the quarters lost in the semi-finals. List
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