The top amateur boxers of New York City’s metro area battled it out Thursday and Friday at the 85th annual Daily News Golden Gloves Finals. After nine weeks of intense competition throughout the five boroughs, Long Island and parts of Upstate NY the moment of truth for many of the athletes occurred at The World’s Most Famous Arena: the Theatre at Madison Square Garden.
Male and female boxers from all walks of life vied for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team at the 2012 Olympics in London – elusive for some but memorable for all. The Daily News Golden Gloves was the launching pad for world champions Floyd Patterson, Riddick Bowe and Zab Judah to name a few. Since its inception in 1927, the Golden Gloves has been organized and overseen by the Daily News.
Not enough credit is given to the Daily News Golden Gloves for keeping kids off the streets and off drugs. Drug testing occurs at the start of the tournament and those who reach the quarter finals are tested again. Amateur boxing instills confidence and discipline in the young men and women fighters.
Winning the Daily News Golden Gloves is a crowning achievement for an amateur athlete.