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Boxing Fri Apr 04 2008
A Golden Opportunity
You can argue all day about whether boxing is a sport of precision and science or a brutal display of man’s penchant for violence. But either way, the sport is hard to ignore.
This might partially explain the appeal and longevity of the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament, the city’s amateur boxing showcase that’s been battling along, in one form or another, since 1923. It’s a far cry from the professional ranks, where personality and glitz often overshadow the fights themselves. These are stripped-down, no-frills affairs where the limo is replaced by the Red Line and the “entourage” usually consists of an anxious kid and his coach. But from those humble beginnings the Chicago Golden Gloves tournament (or the Chicago Tournament of Champions as it has alternately been known) has spawned a few professional champions, including Barney Ross, Ezzard Charles, Sonny Liston, Ernie Terrell and some kid named Cassius Clay.
The semi-finals of this year’s Golden Gloves tournament will take place tonight (Friday) and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Gym, 1658 W. Addison. Finals will be held April 17-19, 7:30 p.m., also at St. Andrew’s.
