Upton Boxing Center has a history of producing champions. Located in West Baltimore, the legendary boxing gym is the home of some of the city’s best young amateur boxers.
For the 15th consecutive year, Upton will send a few of its kids to compete at the National Silver Gloves Tournament in Independence, Mo.
The list of qualifying boxers includes 10-year-old Shawn Nelson; nine-year-old Musa Robinson; 13-year-old Ibrahim Robinson, and 14-year-old LoRenzo Simpson. Simpson is a four-time Silver Gloves champion.
Musa Robinson will be the youngest boxer to ever represent Baltimore city at the Silver Gloves Tournament, as this is the first year that nine year-olds are allowed to compete.
Upton trainers Mack Allison III and Calvin Ford will accompany the kids to Missouri. Allison told the AFRO that the kids are more than ready to go.
“They started from the bottom and they did everything we asked them to do. Seeing their progress in the tournament is unreal,” said Allison. “I just started training some of these guys three or four months ago. It’s awesome to see how they’re grinding.”
The boxing center has sent students to the Silver Gloves every year since it opened in 2000, but having four kids compete in one year is an exceptional accomplishment.
“Everybody that makes it to the Nationals is elite,” said Allison. “For 15 straight years, these kids have been winning. It’s a great thing for Baltimore.”
The 48th Annual National Silver Gloves Tournament will take place Feb. 5 to Feb. 7, 2015.