Buffalo Golden Gloves 2015 Opening Round - The Saga Continues

Missing the Buffalo Golden Gloves 2015 opening round is like, missing a beginning of a movie or forgetting that your favorite series is on and missing an episode. Fortunately, Rugged Rob is on his "grizzle" and is here to give you the update. Like in previous years, the "Saga" that is the Buffalo Golden Gloves tournament, always leaves me wanting more. There are no previews of the next episode in this melodrama, we can only wonder what comes next. Well, allow me to set up the first act.


It was a night of about 20 fights to start out the tournament. It could have easily been 30 fights if there where no fighters pulling out due to injury or a simple gut check at the last minute. That is a draw back is any sport, non-participation for whatever reason. Every year, some of the defending champions don't return to defend their titles. It's a shame, because it weakens our chances at the National Golden Gloves tournament in Las Vegas, NV. It breaks my heart to see teams from all over the country walk away with those huge championship belts and we have to settle for a few wins to advance in the tournament. I travel with the New York State team to the Nationals, so I see what the rest of the country has to offer. The National Golden Gloves has to be one of the greatest amateur boxing exhibition I've ever seen. In a week I see the highest skill level of boxing I will see all year. Upon our arrival to the site of the Nationals you see other teams wearing their "colors" proudly. Each team sizing each other up ready to go to war with anyone that is put in front of them. It's a very intense feeling, when 300 highly trained fighters are snarling at each other and no one wants to back down. Sometimes, I feel like fighters in this region don't actually understand what they're fighting for. Once you make the trip for the first time, only then, will you know what it's all about. It's representing your team, your gym, your family, and anyone that cheered you on in Buffalo that didn't even know your name. 'Nuff said.

Featured Fight of the Day

Jeffrey Nygayot (Westside Boxing Club) vs Mike Vega (Casal's Boxing Club): 132lbs Open Division

There was an interesting storyline going into this fight. Word around the campfire is that Nygayot is in college and holds down a job, leaving him with little time to train (If anyone ask, you didn't here that from me). In amateur boxing this is very common. Everything you do for the sport, is on a volunteer basis. As much as you want to devote everything to an amateur boxing career, life must go on. Also, this might have been Mike Vega's last time in the Golden Gloves before turning pro, so he had to make this fight count. What I saw, from the ring apron, were two boxers fighting hard to advance. Jeffrey Nygayot is an elite fighter in our region that comes from a gym with a lot of tough competition and a coach, Adalberto “Jerry” Diaz, that demands his fighter are mentally and physically tough. In the other corner, Mike Vega is an tough fighter that works hard and had the stamina to fight all three rounds. Vega's coach, Ray Casal, comes in with a strategy to win and great instructions between rounds. In the first two rounds, Nygayot jumped in and out with at least 2 to 3 punch combinations, using his speed to keep Vega defensive. In those early rounds Vega was hesitant to engage, waiting to counterpunch, and trying figure out Nygayot's timing. In my opinion, Nygayot is more of an all around athlete and his movement is better than Vega's. Vega does a lot better against fighters that come straight ahead and applies pressure (circa 2014 BGG match-up; Mike Vega vs Daniel DeJusus). The early exchanges were dominated by Nygayot, but Vega was in no way hurt or in trouble of being stopped. In the third and final round, words from the campfire began to apply. Nygayot was winded and was not the same fighter from rounds 1 and 2. It showed that Vega worked hard in the gym, because after a few words from Ray, he came out swinging. He used his jab to get inside while Nygayot retreated and he threw big shots to try to get the knockout. Mike Vega had a better third round but it was too late to impress the judges. In amateur boxing there're some fighters you may not match up well against and I think this was the case for Mike Vega. Although, this wasn't his night, I wish Vega the best of luck in the future. As for Jeffrey Nygayot, good luck in the rest of the tournament.

Winner: Jeffrey Nygayot by Unanimous Decision

I would like to give you my "blow by blow" analysis of all the fights at once but as a new blogger, I have to pace myself. I will review 2 fights a day until I get to the end of the bout sheet. Tomorrow - Mike Christopher (UB Boxing) vs Mike Stevens (Buffalo PAL) and Drew Grazadei (NWBCC) vs Brandon Lynch (Albany Boxing)

The Results

• 141lbs. Sub-novice - Anthony Baxter (Friends of Boxing) vs Conner Jones (Freedom Boxing) - Winner: Anthony Baxter by TKO 3rd
• 141lbs. Novice - Mitch Geles (Victory Gym) vs Dustin Waleck (Casal's Boxing) - Winner: Mitch Geles by Split Decision
• 178lbs. Sub-novice - Alex Tyglowski (Freedom Boxing) vs Kenric Duncan (Iron Will Boxing) - Winner: Kenric Duncan by TKO 1st
• 152lbs. Open - Tracy McGruder (Rochester) vs Wilfredo Gomez Vega (Darkside Boxing) - Winner: Tracy McGruder by Unanimous Decision
• 178lbs. Open - Corey Hepburn (St. Martin's) vs Nelson Madhi (Westside Boxing) - Winner: Nelson Madhi (Westside Boxing) by TKO 3rd
• 152lbs. Sub-nivice - Jared Callahan (KC's Fitness) vs Davail Steel (Buffalo PAL) - Winner: Davail Steel (Buffalo PAL) by Split Decision
• 178lbs. Sub-novice - Frank White (Lackawanna Boxing) vs Mike Milletello (KC's Fitness) - Winner: Frank White (Lackawanna Boxing) by TKO 1st
• 165lbs Sub-nivice - Andrew Irrizary (NWBCC) vs Dillion Rossi (Freedom Boxing) - Winner: Andrew Irrizary (NWBCC) by TKO 2nd
• 152lbs. Open - Mark Renza (Sweet Science) vs Christopher Donahue (Elmira Boxing) - Winner: Mark Renza (Sweet Science) by Split Decision
• 178lbs. Sub-novice - Nick Martone (Terri's Fitness) vs Douglas Chavers (FLARE Center) - Winner: Douglas Chavers (FLARE Center) by Unanimous Decision
• 132lbs. Open - Jeffrey Nygayot (Westside Boxing) vs Mike Vega (Casal's Boxing) - Winner: Jeffrey Nygayot (Westside Boxing) by Unanimous Decision
• 201+ Open - Alex Dedovets (Goombas Boxing) vs Michael Reeves (St. Martin's Boxing) - Winner: Alex Dedovets by split decision
• 152lbs. Open - Anthony Woodruff (Westside Boxing) vs Cody Zappone (Albany Boxing) - Winner: Anthony Woodruff (Westside Boxing) by TKO 2nd
• 178lbs. Open - Ahmad McEntire (Westside Boxing) vs Curtis Chaplin (Ultimate Fitness) - Winner: Curtis Chaplin (Ultimate Fitness) by Unanimous Decision
• 165lbs Sub-novice - Adam Becky (Freedom Boxing) vs Leroy Thorton lll (Inspired Boxing) - Winner: Leroy Thorton lll (Inspired Boxing) by Split Decision
• 141lbs. Open - Akhmed Aliyev (NWBCC) vs Vinnie Denierio (Elmira Boxing) - Winner: Akhmed Aliyev (NWBCC) by TKO 3rd
• 132lbs Open - Sequan Felton (St. Martin's) vs Hector Bayanilla (NWBCC) - Winner: Saquan Felton (St. Martin's) by Decision
• 152lbs Open - Mike Christopher (UB Boxing) vs Mike Stevens (Buffalo PAL) - Winner: Mike Christopher (UB Boxing) Unanimous Decision
• 201+ Open - Drew Grazadei (NWBCC) vs Brandon Lynch (Albany Boxing) - Winner: Brandon Lynch (Albany Boxing) by TKO 2nd

Ray Casal and the Casal Boxing Club

When I talk to some of the boxing coaches in the area, for me, it's like talking to an old friend. The boxing community in Buffalo, New York is small in comparison to other in major markets, but we still remain competitive with the rest of the country. Many of the coaches in the area I've known for many years. Although, there are new coaches I run into that I may not know as well as the others. The dialogue is the same with new and old coaches. We talk about boxing in general, local fighters, match-ups, and "have you seen such-n-such lately?". It's always a great time for me and I seem to make a new friend whenever I go to a local boxing event.

One of my favorite coaches to catch up with is the legendary and "Hall of Famer" Ray Casal of Niagara Falls, New York. Ray has been in the fight game for over 40 years and is still going strong. I met Ray in 1998 at a Toughman Competition in Niagara Falls. At the time he was coaching a few of the fighters that night. Actually, Kevin Rozier (participant in UFC 1 and 4) introduced us and we've been friends ever since. Ray Casal's fighting background is in Kickboxing, as a fighter and a coach. In the 70's and 80's Kickboxing was extremely popular and there were several huge promotions in the area. This kept him very busy as a coach and a fighter. As the 90's approached the popularity of Kickboxing declined, Ray then moved his attention more to traditional boxing. In its heyday, the late 90's to mid-2000's, the Casal's Boxing Club was an one of the elite gyms in the country. He had a team of open class fighters that traveled the United States, winning tournaments, titles, and respect. One of his marque fighters was his very own son, Nick "Hands of Gold" Casal. Nick was a "beast" as an amateur and he terrorized open weight classes from 132lbs. to 152lbs. nationally and internationally. Ray Casal has always maintained a competitive stable of fighters. He's a great motivator, excellent coach, and he keeps a family atmosphere at his gym.

In 2003, when I started "The Western York Boxing Academy" at the F.LA.R.E. center, he was instrumental in getting everything off the ground. He gave me names of other coaches, supported my club shows, matched up my fighters on his shows, and be there with advice. I can't thank him enough. He really supports amateur boxing in our area and we're lucky to have him.

A few days ago, I visited Casal's gym for a video shoot. I interviewed Ray and a few of his fighters. I was not disappointed in the talent he had for me. In 2015, he doesn't have the stable of fighters he used to have, but his team is definitely ready to compete in the Buffalo Golden Gloves, Saturday, January 24th at the Tralf Music Hall. Ray has a lot of pride and his fighters represents his boxing club with the that same pride when they come to fight. Leading the charge this year is Mike Vega, a 132lbs. open class fighter. I've watch Vega develop as a fighter and a fine young man over the years. He's always been a gentleman and a credit to the sport, since I met him a few years ago. Vega trains hard, competes at a very high level, and his technique makes him a handful for anyone in the 132lbs. division. In his interview, he said this may be his last Golden Gloves tournament he competes in before he turns professional. The 132lbs. open class division is the most competitive division in the 2015 tournament. Returning are Saquan Felton, who is the 2014 champion, Jeffrey Nyguyot, was last years the runner-up, and Oscar Peralta, from Syracuse, New York won the 132lbs. title in 2013. We can add Mike Vega to that list. Also in the gym was Brianna Smith, one of Casal's top female fighters. She has yet to lose a fight in the Golden Gloves. Although women can't advance in the tournament, she comes to fight. Brianna is a true athlete. She also played division 1 soccer for Canisius College. She's well rounded and has the stamina for a hard 3 round fight. She throws punches in bunches and she will be hard to stop in 2015. Brianna is a second generation fighter at the Casal's boxing club. Her father was Ray's first pupil and fighter. Keeping it in the Casal fighting family is always a good thing.

For more info on Casal's Boxing Club CHICK HERE!!!

The Buffalo Golden Gloves 2015...It's That Time of Year.

Everyone has something in life they look forward to every year. It might be a birthday, an anniversary, a reunion, whatever the case may be. I also have a time of year I look forward to with great intensity. It is the Buffalo Golden Gloves tournament. It's the tournament that determines who will represent, our region, in the National Golden Gloves tournament. In our region, the tournament starts in January. I can feel the excitement in the air as the time approaches, January 24, 2015 at the Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, New York. If you have never seen live boxing, on any level, the Buffalo Golden Gloves is a great start. The event is family friendly and it won't break your pockets. The competition and skill levels are extremely high for a local event. In the Buffalo Golden Gloves every fight has a meaning, win or go home...all beat up.

I would like to re-introduce myself to my current readers and those of you that don't know me or what I do. I consider myself a boxing enthusiast with a camera and airtime. I've been filming the New York State Golden Gloves since its return to Buffalo in 2008. When I'm filming at "the Gloves" I'm positioned on the ring apron in the neutral corner. My camera is just a few feet away from the action. I've been filming amateur boxing in Western New York for over 15 years and I'm still on the job. My blog, the Rugged Chronicles, is driven by my experience as a local boxing journalist. "Nuff said".

The Buffalo Golden Gloves is where stars are born is this area. The local boxing community has its focus on the local Golden Gloves every year. The hunt is on and the NYS Golden Gloves title is the prize. Teams from across the state come to Buffalo, New York to compete in this tournament so they can measure themselves against the best in their region. The Gloves is an honest depiction of who owns the bragging rights to the title of the best fighter in the area. Will they come from Syracuse, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Geneva, Albany, Jamestown, or from some small town Upstate? The drama and excitement is always worth the wait.

See you at the Buffalo Golden Gloves, January 24, 2015 at the Tralf Music Hall in beautiful Buffalo, New York. The stage has been set and the fist-a-cuffs are about to begin. Last year's New York State Golden Gloves champions will return and defend their titles. New champions will be crowned and the balance of the boxing landscape will change. Some fighters will come ready war and others will get lost in the shuffle. It's that time of year.

For more information Click Here!!!