Hart Crowned Golden Glove Champion
MARQUETTE – United States Olympic Education Center boxer Jesse Hart earned his first national title at the 2011 National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Indianapolis, Ind.
A Northern Michigan University sophomore, Hart (Philadelphia, Pa.) defeated Daquan Arnett (Florida) with a 4-1 decision to win the 165-pound championship. Their bout was a rematch of the 2010 USA Boxing National Championships semifinal round, which Hart won.
“We knew how he [Arnett] boxes. He keeps to the inside so I had Jesse stay on the outside,” said coach Al Mitchell, “The more competitions like these, the better Jesse will become.”
Hart advanced to the final with a 5-0 decision over Anthony Bailey (Colo.-New Mex.), Anthony Campbell (Mid-South), Leandre White (Detroit) and Antoine Douglas (Washington D.C.).
Freshman Damon Allen (Philadelphia, Pa.) had a record of 2-1 at 132 lbs, advancing as far as the quarterfinals.
“Damon has good natural skills. He just needs to work on punching and staying close, not backing up,” said Mitchell.
Sophomore Darnell Parker (Kansas City, Kan.) and junior Rafael Santos (Kansas City, Kan.) also boxed at 152 lbs and 114 lbs, respectively.