‘Luck of the Sound’ for Three Main Street Boxers

There is always talk about the luck of the Irish, especially around St. Patrick’s Day. This year nobody told Florida State about that, so we look for alternatives. With three profiles for three finalists, the Main Street Boxing Team must be thinking about the luck of the Talk of the Sound. Natalie Gonzalez, Lindsay Tolpa, and Anthony Pegues all advanced to the finals of their respective divisions in the New York Golden Gloves. They will be competing for titles at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on April 7 and 8, with the exact scheduling still pending.
On March 12, Natalie Gonzalez (see profile of 11/25/2010 “Queen City’s Natalie Gonzalez Wears 2010 Metro Boxing Diadem”) cruised to a 5-0 verdict in her 106 lb semi-final bout against Michelle Viglione of Atlas Cops and Kids. Head Trainer Ryan O’Leary described Gonzalez’ opponent as being “super tough and a real good boxer.” The first of four two-minute rounds was slow with neither fighter taking the lead. The second round saw Natalie assert herself with solid left jabs and right hands. Natalie gained more momentum in the third round, continuing into the final round. A three punch salvo of right uppercut, left hook, right uppercut had Viglione stunned, and the referee administered a standing eight count. A flurry of punches to the body and then the head forced another eight count. Viglione subsequently held and grabbed Natalie until the final bell. Gonzalez will face Brittany Delgado of Veteran’s Memorial Boxing Club in the Finals. Natalie had defeated the Center Moriches High School senior for the Metro Boxing Title last fall.
On March 16, Lindsay Tolpa (see profile of 1/30/2011 “Iona Grad Lindsay Tolpa Shoots for Golden Goals” ) earned a 5-0 decision in her 119 lb. semi-final bout over Michelle Cheng of Gleason’s Gym. According to O’Leary, Tolpa came out fast against the southpaw Cheng, moving to the left and throwing straight right hands. Lindsay hurt her early in the round with one of the rights, causing the referee to administer an eight count to Cheng and earning the ‘Empire Casino Punch of the Night’. The second and third rounds were closer, as Tolpa tired a bit from her initial efforts. Lindsay finished the fight in dominating fashion with her right hand and nearly forcing a halt to the proceedings. Lindsay will face Misato Tamegawa of Atlas Cops and Kids in the Finals.
On March 17, Michelle Herzl lost via decision in her 145 lb. semi-final bout against Crisella Cepeda of the Yonkers YMCA. “Michelle tried to land her jab, but the distance was short by a couple inches”, noted O’Leary. Cepeda was able to land the quicker punches from the first round. The pattern continued through much of the fight with Michelle receiving a standing eight count in the last frame.
On March 25, Anthony Pegues (see profile of 1/3/2011 “Onetime New Rochelle Gridiron Standout Anthony Pegues Blitzes Towards Golden Gloves Title”) advanced to the Finals of the 178 lb. Novice Division after a 4-1 verdict over Christian Little of World Wide Boxing Club. O’Leary describes Little as “a tough kid, 6’2”, very strong, who came to fight.” The fight was very competitive from the outset with Pegues landing solid body shots by the end of the first and establishing control in the second. Little rallied in spurts in the third, but Pegues pulled away towards the end, forcing a standing eight count on Little. Yonkers Raceway hosted the card in a tent along the spectator grandstand. An overflow crowd of 400 filled the improvised arena, as many were turned away at the gate and directed into the casino to help stimulate the economy. Anthony will oppose Robert Fischetti of Tiger Schulman Gym in the Finals.
To inquire about membership in Main Street Boxing and Fitness and its various exercise programs, please call 914-636-2811 or contact owner Michael Stellate at michael@mainstreetboxing.com or Ryan O’Leary at ryan@mainstreetboxing.com.