Rodriguez, Cuomo compete in USA Boxing Silver Gloves nationals
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Marcus Rodriguez described himself as “nervous and excited,” but insisted he isn’t afraid. It matters little to him that, after two years of training, his first high-level boxing match will be in a national competition before a large audience.
“I’m just ready to go,” the Wallkill native said matter-of-factly. “It’s gonna be fun and I think I’ll do good.”
He has all the confidence and aplomb one would expect of a 10-year-old.
Rodriguez will compete this week in the National Silver Gloves Tournament, a USA Boxing event that showcases amateurs between ages 6 and 16. He’ll be joined there by Marc Cuomo, another 10-year-old hopeful who trains alongside him at the Floyd Patterson Boxing Club in Highland.
The kids will travel Wednesday to Kansas City, accompanied by their dads and coach, and ready themselves for the competition running Thursday to Saturday at the Stoney Creek Hotel in nearby Independence, Missouri.
“There’ll definitely be some jitters, although they’re not showing it, but these guys are super excited,” their coach, Anthony Bongiorni, said. “It’s a rare opportunity, and they appreciate that. This is something they’ll never forget.”
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Cuomo will compete in the 80-pound bracket. He’s 4-0 thus far and scored big victories in the state and regional tournaments to advance. The Marlboro native began training at the Patterson Club when he was 2, a toddler at first just mimicking Marc Cuomo Sr.. But that early exposure to the sport spurred what became a passion for it.
He has developed an aggressive style in the ring, utilizing his quickness and “applying constant pressure,” Bongiorni said.
Rodriguez picked up boxing only two years ago but, his father said, he practiced Taekwondo for years before that, so combat sports weren’t foreign to him. There weren’t other fighters in his 145-pound weight class at the state and regional levels, so he received a bye to the nationals. Nevertheless, they both said, he’ll be prepared and will “give it his all.”
“I can’t even explain the level of excitement and pride I’m feeling,” his dad, Marcus Rodriguez Sr., said. “It’s great to see him embrace boxing the way he has and, having a chance to compete in this kind of event, is amazing. It gives me goosebumps.”
Learning techniques and applying them in sparring sessions, Marcus said, is what easily drew him to boxing. It helped, he said, that he enjoys the atmosphere of the gym and has formed close friendships, including with Marc.
“We’re rooting hard for each other,” he said of Cuomo. “I know he’s gonna do great there.”
Marcus has flown before, to as far as Texas and the Dominican Republic, so he figures the flight itself and their time in Missouri will be enjoyable….
Read More: Rodriguez, Cuomo compete in USA Boxing Silver Gloves nationals 2024-01-31 14:47:07