Gladiator Plays Host

Posted by the Times-Beacon Newspapers on 09/20/07

STAFF REPORT

The Gladiator Boxing Gym in Lacey will host the first night of the New Jersey State Diamond Gloves Tournament on Oct. 6, beginning at 6 p.m.

The four-week-long event will take place at locations across the state. More than 100 amateurs from New Jersey will vie for the title in age groups, weight classes and divisions including sub novice, novice and open.

The tournament began in 1933 in Paterson , and this is the first time it will take place in Ocean County . Many former champs have attended over the years. They include Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano and Jake Lamotta. Celebrities who have turned out include Joe DiMaggio, Babe Ruth, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello.

Expected to attend this year are Hall of Famers Bobby Czyz, Matthew Saad Muhammad and Tim Witherspoon.

Lacey's Team Gladiator will enter Rob Smith, Joey Bockin, Rocco Salimbene, Anthony Sodano, John Caposele and Dennis Downes in the Junior Olympic Division (ages 8-16) while DeRoy Beaton, Jackie Kaiser and Bobby Walder will be entered in the Adult Novice Division.

The gym is in the Lacey Industrial Park , at 699 Challenger Way .

For more information, call (609) 971-3668