"The CHAMP is here!!!!" In the Buffalo Golden Gloves 132lbs. Open division there's one name that rings louder that any other, Saquan Felton. He's the reigning and defending champion that is on a quest to defend his title. What makes him special is that I've seen him climb the ranks, from underdog to champion. Saquan is a Rochester, NY native, that fights out of St. Martins Boxing Club, led by, the well respected, Don Simpkins. I think almost every amateur fighter out of Rochester started their boxing careers with Mr. Simpkins. My connection with Saquan is, he's from my hometown and he went to the same high school I did (big up to Benjamin Franklin high school). Saquan has traveled across the state to find competition that will make him a better fighter and it has worked for him. In the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves, Saquan is one of the most experience fighters in the tournament.
On the other side of the ring is Hector Bayanilla of the Northwest Buffalo Community Center (NWBCC) boxing club. He also comes from a great boxing club that has a strong history of excelling in this tournament. Bayanilla is trained by Juan DeLeon, another well respected coach. If you don't know, Juan is credited for taking Buffalo's own "Baby" Joe Mesi close the mountain top of the professional heavyweight division. Juan is one of the great coaches out of NWBCC. He trains amateur fighters from around the country and some of them fight in the Buffalo Golden Gloves. Juan had a 141lbs. fighter, that won the New York State title a few years ago, went on to the National tournament, and had the competition running for their lives (shoutout to "Pinky"). He lost on points to the fighter that eventually won the 141lbs. National title. So I knew that Bayanilla was no regular fighter. In my mind, the stage was set for a war.
Round one was Felton's best round. His attack was filled with great ring generalship and punches in bunches. Everything was clicking in the first round and that was evident from the lead uppercut that landed on Bayanilla's chin. Bayanilla applied pressure, which left him open for Felton's check-hook that landed on several occasions. Felton glided across the ring like a profession and he was stacking up points at will. Bayanilla was a game fighter, but movement kept him chasing the illusive Felton.
In the second round, after some spanish spoken instructions from Juan, Bayanilla looked like a different fighter. He landed some strong shot that got Felton's attention, but Saquan has a strong chin. I've never seen Saquan, not finish a fight. His experience and craftiness held Bayanilla off enough to win the second round.
Round three was a perfect example of why Felton is the 132lbs champion. Between rounds two and three, I looked over to Felton's corner and his 3 cornermen worked on him like he was having a heart attack. They massaged his arms and legs, put water on his head, and I almost thought they were going to stop the fight. On a side note, fighters outside of Rochester say that it's typical of a fighter from the ROC to fade in the later rounds (please don't kill the messenger, but I hear that all of the time). In the third, Bayanilla was charged and ready to go. He continued pressuring Felton with a vengeance, but Felton landed combinations and smothered Bayanilla against the ropes. There was a lot of complaining to the referee by both fighters, which play into Felton's hands. After an exciting final round, Felton walked away with an unanimous decision.
I would like to congratulate Saquan Felton for defending his title and advancing to the next round of the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves. Also, I would like to congratulate Hector Bayanilla for a great effort and I hope to see more of him in the future. I'll see you at the second round of the 2015 Buffalo Golden Gloves, February 28, 2015 at the Tralf Music Hall in beautiful Buffalo, New York.
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