Tag Archives: Boxing

Golden Gloves opening night highlights local talent; “large, enthusiastic” crowd Saturday at 4 Mile Showplace 

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Aneudy “Junior” Rios (blue/red trunks) won by decision against Armand Bridgeforth in the 132-pound elite open division on Saturday. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

It was a new venue and a host of new boxers, but the intense action was familiar to area boxing fans as the opening night of the West Michigan Golden Gloves started with a flurry.

A total of 13 bouts took place at the 4 Mile Showplace (1025 4 Mile Rd. NW) in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Three of the bouts featured elite open division boxers, including five-time state champion Aneudy “Junior” Rios. On a mission to win a national Golden Gloves title this season, Rios began his trek to nationals by winning a decision against Armand Bridgeforth of Anahuac Boxing Club in a crowded 132-pound weight class. In a bout full of action, Rios piled up the body punches and kept busy the entire three rounds while Bridgeforth countered with a steady barrage of punches of his own.

“He was a lot more active than I thought he would be,” Rios said. “I was kind of surprised. He put up a good fight and he made things difficult for me at times, but I felt like I boxed well tonight.”

Rios is putting in plenty of time training for his mission to win a national title and that was evident in his performance against Bridgeforth.

“So far so good,” Rios said. “I’m in good condition and my coach is making sure I stay on track. Now I have more time to train. I have a month off from work and I’m going to take advantage of it and get ready for nationals.”

Rios will be back in the ring Wednesday when he faces Michael Guzman in the semifinals.

“I will be facing a friend of mine in the semifinals in Michael Guzman,” Rios said. “It should be a real good fight and will be a good challenge for me.”

Michael Guzman’s twin brother Mike Guzman followed Rios on Saturday’s card and he provided the crowd with an explosive display of boxing skills. Mike Guzman defeated Jesus Lara of the Westside Boxing Club when the referee stopped the bout in the second round.



Mike Guzman won a novice division title last year and is looking to win in the open division this season. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



“I felt things went good,” Guzman said. “I listened to my coaches and stayed behind my jab and kept the pressure up.”

A West Michigan champion last year in the novice division in his first action in the Golden Gloves, Guzman is making a smooth transition into the elite open division.

“I feel like I belong in the open division,” Guzman said. “I feel like this is going to be my year. With my brother, I feel like this year is going to be a Guzman takeover.”

Marcos Saucedo Jr. of Holland Westside Boxing Club

In the third elite open division bout, Marcos Saucedo Jr. of the Holland Westside Boxing Club held off Siderio Mitchell of Michigan Golden Gloves Association (MGGA) to win a decision at 139 pounds. Both Saucedo Jr. and Guzman will be boxing in the Wednesday’s semifinals in a loaded 139-pound weight class that totaled six boxers.

Union’s Hedaytullah Amarkhail of Blues Gym gets a win in first bout of career

Saturday’s action also included six bouts in the elite novice Division. The first of those bouts saw Hedaytullah Amarkhail of Blues Gym in Grand Rapids defeat Brandon Luis of MGGA at 132 pounds in an action-filled bout.



Hedaytullah Amarkhail (blue trunks) won the first bout of his boxing career Saturday with a decision over Brandon Luis. (WKTV/Greg Chrapek)



A student at Grand Rapids Union High School, Amarkhail is from Afghanistan and his parents and entire family are still in Afghanistan. Amarkhail made his boxing debut a successful one as he displayed plenty of skill despite only training as a boxer since last year.

“It felt amazing,” Amarkhail said. “It was really special. It was my first fight ever. It’s my father’s wish for me to be a boxer and I’m really excited to be here.”

In another bout in the 132-pound elite novice division, Stephen Ramirez from Sturgis won a decision against Anthony Holguin of the Holland Eli J Boxing Club.

The elite novice division also had a pair of bouts at 139 pounds. In the first 139-pound bout DreAun Ellis of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club defeated Dzenan Kovacevic of Blues Gym when the referee stopped the contest in the second round. In the next match at 139 pounds, Tiburcio Hernandez IV of the Eli J Boxing Club won a decision against Dylan Goodwin of the Lansing Crown Boxing Club.

In the elite novice 156-pound division, Gohan Estevez Marte of PK Boxing won a decision against Jordan Sanders.

In the final elite novice bout of the evening at 165 pounds, Isaiah Clay of Crown Boxing won a decision against Marco Walker of Mac Gym. Walker, however, was a big winner outside the ring as he became engaged to be married earlier in the day.

The boxing action kicked off for the evening with four junior novice bouts. At 150 pounds in the junior novice division, Dekent Murray of Kalamazoo Boxing won a decision against Jerymiah Signs of Team Glass Boxing. Also at 150 pounds, John Lopez of Crown Boxing won a decision against Jesus Diaz of Boxing House International of St. Joseph. At 145 pounds, Elijah Faidley of Crown Boxing defeated Keagen Wernette-Beals of Lansing Spartans Youth Organization when the referee stopped the bout in the first round. In the final junior novice bout Teodocio Magana of Crown Boxing won by decision against Noah Bates of Blues Gym.

Boxing resumes with the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals on Wednesday. Doors open at 6 p.m with boxing to begin at 7 p.m. at the 4 Mile Showplace.      


As usual, WKTV will televise all five nights of this year’s tournament. Check this WKTV Journal Story to get dates and times. 

East Kentwood’s Lacey-Pierce one of several area boxing champs at Michigan Golden Gloves finals Saturday

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Justin Lacey-Pierce (left) looks for an opening during his match against Jason Jackson in the 165-pound Elite Open class final at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals Saturday at West Catholic. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor

East Kentwood graduate Justin Lacey-Pierce led the list of area boxers who brought home state titles at the 2023 Michigan Golden Gloves state championship finals on Saturday evening at West Catholic High School.

Lacey-Pierce, a 2017 grad of East Kentwood, turned in a solid performance as he won a decision against Jason Jackson of the Holland Westside Boxing Club in the 165-pound Elite Open division final. Lacey-Pierce, who defeated Jackson in last week’s West Michigan Golden Gloves finals, took charge of the bout from the opening bell and carried the action throughout the match.


Lacey-Pierce, like all the other champions from the state finals, now heads to the Golden Gloves of America National Tournament from May 8-14 in Philadelphia.

“Winning the state title feels ok, but what I really want is the national championship,” Lacey-Pierce said. “I’ve won a national championship before and what I want is to win a Golden Gloves national championship. That is my main goal.”

Lacey-Pierce cleared the next hurdle in reaching that goal by taking care of business against Jackson which gave him his second Golden Gloves state title of his career.

“It was a rematch of last week,” Lacey-Pierce said. “It was pretty much the same thing again. He (Jackson) is a very tough fighter. He’s durable and tough. I just tried to keep jabbing and sneak in some body shots and try to wear him out.”

Junior Rios gets fifth state title

While Lacey-Pierce won his second state title, former Wyoming Pride Boxing Club boxer Aneudy “Junior” Rios won his fifth state title. Like Lacey-Pierce, Rios fought a familiar foe in the title match as he squared off against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo who he defeated in last week’s West Michigan state finals in the 132-pound open division. Like the previous fight, Rios relied on his speed and quickness to carry him to the decision.

Junior Rios (right) squares off against Gentle Gibson of Kalamazoo in the 132-pound Elite Open class at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)

“He (Gibson) was going for the knockout,” Rios said. “I used my quickness against him. I have quicker hands and quicker feet and I used that to my advantage. His gameplan was to land a knockout punch. It was definitely a good fight. He tried to knock me out but I knew I could outbox him.”

Winning a fifth state title meant plenty to Rios who plans to turn professional after making a run at qualifying for the 2024 Olympics.

“This feels great,” Rios said. “I have dreamed about this moment and to come out on top really means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to the national tournament and I feel right now I’m in better shape that I’ve ever been in during all the years of going to nationals. I feel way quicker, have way more experience and have a way better boxing IQ.”

Mo Mercado 125-pound open division champ

Like his training partner Rios, Guillermo “Mo” Mercado is another multi-time state champion and faced a rematch in his title bout in the 125-pound open division. Like he did the week prior, Mercado utilized his outstanding boxing skills to win a decision against Jason Wells.

Guillermo Mercado (left) looks to set up his shot during his match against Jason Wells in the 125-pound Elite Open class final at the Michigan Golden Gloves state finals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)



“I went into the match trying to stay focused and to get the job done,” Mercado said. “I knew that I could outbox him and that was my plan. He tried some different things but I just stayed composed and outboxed him.”

The state title meant plenty to Mercado who also plans to turn professional after the Golen Gloves.

“This is a tremendous feeling,” Mercado said. “I put my heart on the line for this one. I’ve went through a lot of adversity to get this one and this really means a lot to me.”

Catholic Central grad Ulysses Campos wins at 147 pounds

Ulysses Campos, a 2018 graduate of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School is another area boxer who was looking to add to his collection of state titles before turning pro later this year. Campos won a decision against Tyrone Welch of Saginaw in the finals at 147 pounds. The title was the sixth Golden Gloves title for Campos and the fourth Golden Gloves state championship on his resume.

“I won my first Golden Gloves title when I was 16-years old,” said the 23-year old Campos, who also was part of a state championship soccer team while at Catholic Central. “This one is pretty special. It is my last one and I knew it was going to be a tough one. My opponent is really tough and I knew it was going to be a big challenge.”

Bryan Caceres wins fourth state title

Bryan Caceres rounded out the area open champions. Caceres, who won a fourth state title for his career, needed to avenge a loss from last week’s West Michigan finals to earn his title. In a match that was just as hard-fought as last week’s title match at 139 pounds, Caceres won a decision against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of Holland. Like the other area open division boxers, Caceres is also planning on turning professional later this year.

Also claiming open-division titles were Nicholas Young of Flint at 156 pounds, KeiShawn Partee of Muskegon, 176 pounds, Solomon Jagun of Lansing, 203 pounds, and Shaquan Cox of Flint, 203-plus division.

Sarah Batenburg takes 146-pound title in the female division

There also were three uncontested open division champions all in the female division. Sarah Batenburg of Hudsonville won at 146 pounds, Zoe Hicks of Lansing won at 110 pounds and Kimberly Green of Lansing was the 178 pounds-plus champion.

In novice action, Michael Guzman of Grand Rapids won the 132-pound novice title with a decision against Gage Stafford of Flint.

“It feels good,” Guzman said. “I’ve loved fighting in the Golden Gloves this year. It’s a great feeling to be the last man standing.”

Guzman’s twin brother Mike Guzman just missed a state title of his own as he dropped a close decision to Brant Bowlin of Lansing at 139 pounds. 

In the 147-pound novice division, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club, located in southwest Grand Rapids, won a decision against Stephen Ramirez. The bout was a rematch of last week’s West Michigan finals contest and Hernandez used a similar formula to get the win.

“(He) Ramirez was not as aggressive as last week,” Hernandez said. “Like I did last week, I just tried to outbox him. Winning the state title feel so good. It feels good to see all my hard work pay off.”

At 203 pounds, Zachary Brayton of Traverse City Significant Strikes won a decision against Austin Connors of the Kalamazoo Boxing Club in a rematch of their fight last week. Brayton, who improved his record to 7-0 over the weekend, also was named the Outstanding Novice Boxer for this year’s state finals.

Also winning state titles in the novice division were Van Davis (125 pounds) of Muskegon, Brant Bowling (139) of Lansing, Ndeye Diouf (female-146 pounds) of Flint and Monjuan Walker (156) of Flint. Uncontested novice champions included Sulliman Aamer (112) of Holland, Abel Vilchis-Mendoza (176) of Muskegon and Cody Leonard (203-plus) of Muskegon.

Golden Gloves: Area boxers clear hurdles to the West Michigan Finals Saturday

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WKTV reporter Greg Chrapek interviews local boxer Junior Rios after he beat Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids in the semifinals Wednesday. Rios is seeking his fifth state championship.



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor


A trio of multi-time state champions took care of business during semifinal night at the West Michigan Golden Gloves and are poised to take the next step to become West Michigan Golden Gloves Champions.

Guillermo “Mo” Mercado, Aneudy “Junior” Rios and Bryan Caceres all won their matches against some strong competition during semifinal action Wednesday evening at West Catholic High School. The wins send the trio, who have combined for nine state championships, on to the West Michigan Golden Gloves finals at 7 p.m. Saturday at West Catholic.



Guillermo Mercado squares off against Elmer Velasquez in the 125-pound Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)



Mercado led things off in the Elite Open division at 125 pounds when he won a decision against Elmer Velasquez of Anahuac Boxing Club. In one of the most action-packed bouts of the evening, Mercado used his skills to wear Velasquez down in a bout that was full of action from both boxers. 

“This is the fourth time I have fought him,” Mercado said. “I knew coming in he is a very tough fighter. I knew this was going to be one of my toughest opponents here. I had to get on him with my jab and keep the pressure up.”

Mercado, who has been boxing for over seven years, is a two-time state champion on a mission to win a third state title before turning professional., Mercado has been busy fighting in some national tournaments this season and is primed for a long run in the Golden Gloves this spring.

Mercado’s coach, Anbrocio Ledesma, liked what he saw in the fight, but knows improvement needs to continue to be made.

“Mo has fought this guy several times,” Ledesma said. “He puts a lot of pressure on and Mo had to fight a little different fight. I asked Mo to do some different things and he pulled it off. Every opponent has a different style and you have to make adjustments and Mo did that.”



Junior Rios looks for an opening during his match against Armond Bridgeford in the 132-pound Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)



Rios, Mercado’s teammate who also is trained by Ledesma, is a four-time state champion and had a tough test in the next bout when he went up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA. After both boxers traded shots in the opening round, Rios began to take control of the match in the second round. By the third round Rios was in command of the fight and recorded a standing-eight count before the referee stopped the contest later in the round.

“This was the first time I fought him,” Rios said. “He is a taller fighter and in the first round it took me some time to get used to his size. Eventually I started to get inside and get off some good body shots. I was able to work the body and slow him down.”

The win moves Rios into a showdown Saturday against Gentle Gibson, an undefeated fighter from the Kalamazoo Boxing Club.

In the final match of the evening and in the Elite Open class, Bryan Caceres of Grand Rapids MGGA won a decision against Anthony Hurt of Team Glass from Lansing. Caceres, who has been boxing for nine years, is a three-time state champion looking for a fourth title before turning professional like both Mercado and Rios. Caceres has won his three previous state titles at 125 pounds and moved up to 139 pounds this year.



Bryan Caceres prepares to move in during his match against Anthony Hurt in the 139-pound. Elite Open class at the West Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals. (WKTV, Greg Chrapek)



“My goal is to win a fourth state title before turning pro,” Caceres said. “This was my first fight in over eight months. I’m boxing up at 139 pounds so it’s kind of tough because I’m actually a 125-pounder.”

Caceres will go after the West Michigan title Saturday evening when he faces off against Marcos Saucedo Jr. of the Holland Westside Boxing Club.

Five Elite Novice division bouts also took place Wednesday

At 147 pounds, Alejandro Hernandez of the Anahuac Boxing Club won a decision against Kardyea Williams of MGGA. Also at 147 pounds Stephen Ramirez, boxing unattached, won in the second round when the referee stopped the contest in his match against James McCullen of Crown Boxing Club of Lansing. Hernandez and Ramirez fight Saturday in the 147-pound finals of the Elite Novice division.

At 165 pounds, Jaier Morgan of MGGA won a decision against Ronald Taylor of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Also at 165 pounds, Matthew Moore of MGGA on a decision against Christopher McLaughlin of the Muskegon Boxing Club. Morgan and Moore will square off in the finals Saturday.

At 176 pounds, Isaiah Clay of Crown Boxing won when the referee stopped the contest in his bout with Paul Vaalburg of MGGA.  

Golden Gloves: Junior Rios looking to cap amateur career in a big way

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Local fighter Junior Rios (second from left) is aiming for a fifth state title this year and is carrying on the legacy of the Wyoming Pride gym that included from left: Coach Alex Fernandez, Junior, Coach Anbrocio Ledesma and Coach Dominic Marsiglia. (Courtesy, Junior Rios)



By Greg Chrapek

WKTV Contributor



Over the past several years, Aneudy “Junior” Rios has been one of the top amateur boxers in the Grand Rapids area. During his amateur career he has won 50 bouts and four Golden Gloves state championships.

Rios is competing in his final Golden Gloves this year, but before turning pro, he is looking to end his amateur boxing career in a big way.

Going for a fifth state title

Rios takes the next step in his quest to winning a fifth state championship in the open division at the semifinals of the West Michigan Golden Gloves scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Grand Rapids West Catholic High School.

“I feel like this year is my year for sure,” Rios said. “I won last year, but I feel like this year I am in better shape than I was last year. I’m at a different weight class and I feel more focused and more consistent. I’ve lost weight and I’m boxing at 132 pounds this year.”

Rios won his opening-night match April 1 and faces a challenge in the semifinals where he goes up against Armond Bridgeford of Grand Rapids MGGA in the semifinal match.

Not only does Rios have a goal of winning the state title this year, but he also wants to take it a step further at the National Golden Gloves tournament this May in Philadelphia. After that, Rios wants to earn a spot in the Olympic Trials where he will try to make the 2024 United State Olympic Boxing team.

Turning pro soon

“This is my last year of amateur boxing before turning pro,” Rios said. “My goal is the Olympics. I have one more national trial in December where I can earn a spot at the Olympic Trials.”

Rios, age 26, has come a long way in the sport of boxing since he first stepped foot in a gym 10 years ago. A four-time open division champion, Rios has fashioned an amateur record of 50-9. He also reached the semifinals of the National Golden Gloves in 2017.

Rios got his start in boxing at the former Wyoming Pride Gym that was open from 2012 to 2019.

Began boxing at 16

“I started boxing when I was 16-years old,” Rios said. “I was a street kid, and a lady, we call her Momma G, took me to the fights and introduced me to coach Alex Fernandez. I fell in love with boxing as soon as I stepped in the gym. I started going to the Wyoming Pride Gym and that was where I met my coach, Anbrocio Ledesma. Coach Ledesma has always been like a father-figure to me. I call him dad and he calls me son.”

Rios trained at Wyoming Pride until the gym closed in 2019 when the landlord needed the space for another venture.

Since then, Rios has sparred at other gyms in the area while also training at a gym coach Ledesma created in a heated garage on his property. Currently, Rios and Guillermo Mercado are both training under Ledesma.

“I’m a full-time dad, a full-time worker and a full-time boxer,” Rios said. “When I get out of work, I head over to Anbrocio’s and easily put in two to three hours a day working out. Anbrocio is a really good coach. He is great at strength and conditioning. Everything is precise and there is always a routine. I also get a lot of help from my sister, Andreina Torres, who helps watch my son (Gabriel) when I’m at the gym.”

Hard work paying off

The work Rios has been putting in over the years is paying off as Rios is one of the top amateur boxers in the state.

“Junior has put in a lot of hard work,” Ledesma said. “He also does what we ask him to do. He believes in my coaching style. Junior is very aggressive in the ring, but he also has a lot of skill, a lot of knowledge and a lot of quickness. Not only does he have very good hand speed, but he has very good footwork and that is hard to teach.

“You either have it or you don’t. He has the natural skills and he is also a hard worker who gets the most out of what he has.”

Ledesma believes Rios has what it takes to accomplish his goals.

“Junior looked pretty good in his fight last week,” Ledesma said. “As always, there is room for improvement and each opponent will test him in a little different way. Things are looking good for him as long as he keeps consistent in his training and his conditioning.