DETROIT – Two boxers representing Metro Detroit kicked off the 2024 National Golden Gloves in Detroit with impressive performances through day one.
The six-day event, which features over 300 of the best amateur boxers from around the nation, is hosted by The Metro Detroit Golden Gloves and Downtown Boxing Gym from May 13 to 18 at Huntington Place.
Recommended Videos
In the 125lb division, Thomas Covington of Detroit showcased his expansive boxing arsenal against Hudaifah Yusuf of Kansas City, KS.
It was a highly anticipated matchup as “Let’s go Detroit” chants rang out from the crowd. Covington opened round one, flashing a lightning-fast southpaw jab from long range. He paired that jab with good foot and head movement that allowed him to apply pressure on his opponent.
Yusuf returned fire with combinations, but Thomas was able to evade most of the punches behind his Philly Shell guard and head movement.
In round two, Covington continued applying pressure behind fast combinations. He was routinely first to initiate punch exchanges as Yusuf attempted to move and avoid pressure.
Covington backed Yusef to the ropes and landed combinations to the head and body. As the offensive pressure from Covington was building, Yusef began to slow down towards the end of the round.
The final round was a continuation of the previous round, as the consistent pressure, and difference, and speed began to wear Yusef down.
Yusef was gassed but continued to fight back until the end. The bout went to the judges’ scorecards, with Covington scoring a unanimous decision victory.
In the 147lb division, Lance Smith of Detroit faced Dominic Zender of Toledo.
Smith opened round one by establishing the jab against the longer, taller Zender. The difference in speed and timing allowed Smith to out-jab the taller fighter and apply offensive pressure behind it.
Smith picked his shots well, landing to the head and body seemingly whenever he wanted. Zender tried to move and establish range behind a long jab, but Smith was strategically breaking him down.
Smith continued the offensive pressure in the second round, attacking the body to back Zender against the ropes. Zender fired back with his own barrage of punches but couldn’t land many clean shots. Smith showcased an impressive offensive arsenal while also remaining defensively responsible.
In the final round, Smith’s relentless pressure behind the jab had allowed him to close the distance and land crushing body shots on the inside. When fighting in close range, Smith used footwork to change the angle, leaving Zender to guess where punches were coming from.
By this point, Smith had already broken his opponent down, but Zender’s unwavering spirit was evident as he fought until the end. The bout went to the judges’ scorecards, scoring it a unanimous decision victory for Smith.
Smith and Covington’s impressive performances have earned them a spot in the next round of the national tournament, which begins on Tuesday (May 14).
The tournament promises to be thrilling, with Metro Detroit boxers Jirair Thompson, Aaron Carter, Kahmel Makled, and Cody Brooks competing on day two.