It's given me discipline. It's given me confidence." – Highland junior Danny Galloway
MURRAY — Stepping into a boxing ring might seem like a challenging, risky, even painful thing to do.
But for many of the boxers who will represent the Rocky Mountain Region at next month's National Golden Gloves Tournament, fighting saved their lives.
Ignacio Chairez was getting into trouble and headed down a destructive path when he decided to give boxing a try. He earned his first trip to Nationals with a win over Santiago Florez, Wyoming, Saturday night at the 2012 Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves Championships at the Sports Mall in Murray.
"It means a lot," said Chairez who will compete at 132 pounds after defeating Florez. "It's three years of hard work. I said 2012 was going to be my year. I want to show them what I've got. I'm excited."
Chairez had a tough road to the national tournament as he had to fight three fights in three nights in the state tournament and then a very competitive bout Saturday.
"I'd rather fight to say I earned it," he said. "I'd rather work for it."
In the 152-pound bout Tyler Canning defeated Utah's George Vigil.
The 20-year-old from Wyoming had already spent time behind bars when trainer Mike Champion started working with him at age 15.
"Boxing absolutely saved his life," said Champion. "He's had a very troubled life, abusive family; he's overcome a lot."
This will be Canning's first trip to a national Golden Gloves tournament, and he said he will "have to get in better shape" if he hopes to compete.
Highland junior Danny Galloway is the youngest member of the Rocky Mountain team at 16. It is his first National Golden Gloves tournament after training for three years at Fight For Your Life Gym in Salt Lake City. He lost in the first round of a Junior Olympic National Tournament last year.
"It means everything to me," said Galloway, who's lip was still bruised from Friday's bout, which was named The Fight of the Tournament. "Every fight I learn something. This is what I've been working for."
Galloway had never played organized sports when he decided to take a free boxing class at the gym. He came in with an unsavory group, but completely changed his group of friends and his life thanks to the sport.
"It's given me discipline," he said. "It's given me confidence."
His coach, Colby Rogers, said Galloway's hard work and dedication have transformed him into a very competitive athlete.
Jesse West won the 201-plus division after he defeated Adrian Farmer, Idaho, in the final fight of the night. The 26-year-old is making his first trip to a national tournament after just a year of fighting and seven bouts.
"I had a really troubled life growing up," he said. "I was tired of the trouble, so I jumped in the ring."
He said he's looking forward to giving his best — regardless of the outcome — on a national stage.
Utahn Isaac Aguilar will represent the region in the 123-pound division after defeating Gabe Montoya, Wyoming. Jonathan Martinez, Utah, advanced to nationals unopposed and will compete in the 114-pound weight class. Dillon Flowler, Idaho, defeated Tevin Groshelle, Montana, when the referee stopped the fight in the third round.
In the Junior Olympic and Novice Classes:
72 lbs — Ruben Marquez, Montana, defeated Jackson Pilivi, Fullmer Brothers, in a rematch of Friday's fight; 82 lbs — Braedon Vinison, WVC, def. Blake Gircke, Montana; 113 lbs — Roberto Perez, Idaho, def. Junior Torez, Utah; 125 lbs — Bladimir Estrada, City Center, defeated Tyron Labuff, Montana, when the referee stopped the contest; 154 lbs — Marco Alvarez, Ogden, defeated Hugo Hernandez, PAL; and fighting in the first bout for each athlete — at 178 pounds, Miguel Garcia, Fullmer Brothers, defeated Cameron West, Fight for Your Life.
Email: adonaldson@desnews.com