Kansas-Oklahoma Regional Golden Gloves Finals Results Part 2 of 3

Golden Gloves Welterweights Noel Esqueda and Lidell Rhodes, right

Welterweight: Noel Esqueda vs Lidell Rhodes

Another bout that had the fans standing on their feet was in the welterweight class between the two-time Regional Golden Gloves welterweight titleholder Noel Esqueda of the Backyard Boys and Lidell Rhodes of Rat Pack Boxing in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Lidell turned this into a tough bout as Noel won his third Regional Golden Glove title by decision.

Lidell started off strong with his blurring speed combination punches and his nimble footwork. At a height and reach advantage, Lidell was able to time his inside attacks finishing off with a straight right or jab enabling him to score a clean shot. Noel made great improvements in keeping his defense tight otherwise Lidell would have scored a lot more than he did. Lidell landed 5 clean shots to Noel's 3 clean shots.

The second round was full of hooks, uppercuts, and other inside attacks. This would be the bread and butter for professional boxing as it wears down an opponent and it dictates who the aggressor is. However, there's not much time in an amateur boxing bout to apply such tactics. In this bout, both of these boxers were the aggressors and none of them were going to give an inch. It was hard to count  any clean shots in this round as Lidell and Noel landed 1 clean shot each.

The third round was one of the most exciting rounds of the event as fatigue engulfed the boxers and their will took over. Hard punches were thrown in the beginning and then Noel let his hands go as he incurred a lot of clean shots.

Lidell was cornered and as he leaned off balance, he caught a short left hook followed by a quick short right hook that put him on the floor. That gave Lidell his first standing 8 count at the 2 minute mark. Then Lidell caught a right uppercut as he was bent down that gave him another standing 8 count at the 2:37 mark. Noel's third round effort gave him a convincing win in the bout. Lidell landed 6 clean shots and Noel landed 15 clean shots with the last 9 coming in after the 1:45 mark.

Lidell has learned how to overcome his height disadvantage with his speed and quickness. Either the body shots from Noel got to him or he over exerted himself in the earlier rounds because he was having a hard time keeping his balance in the third round.

Lidell is an exciting boxer to watch and learn from. Hopefully he can come up to Wichita's future amateur boxing events because he is someone to look out for.

Noel once again showed his toughness and had tightened up his defense against a very quick opponent. Noel's body shots may have slowed down Lidell for him to finish off in the third round.

He has shown it over again that he gets stronger and more accurate with his punches at each passing round. Noel's height and reach will be a strong advantage for him at the nationals. He may benefit with more quick straight combination punches mixed in with his arsenal. Noel defeated two opponents to earn his third title. His name is recorded in the Kansas/Oklahoma boxing history.... a national title will put him high up there! (View videos Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and decision.)

Middleweight: Jose Arreola vs Norman 'DJ' Devoe and Lamontee Hunt vs Jonathan Bullock

The middleweight class (165 lbs) was the most competitive of the event as there were five contestants challenging for the title. Jose Arreola pulled off a dramatic third round stoppage over Charlie Floyd II the night before. He was then matched with a taller opponent out of Bad Dog Boxing in Wichita, DJ Devoe.

Jose had a hard time reading DJ's attack but he allowed his hands and aggression take over the bout. DJ has a unique style that isn't common in amateur boxing as his style relies on timing and opportunities for him to strike.

DJ's attack is similar to a cobra snake getting ready to strike any moment from a coiled position but in boxing that tests the patience of the judges and fans as much as the opponent. DJ's style is practical and ideal for the sweet science of boxing that teaches you to punch without getting hit. However, amateur boxing requires boxers to be busy and throw a lot of fast punches to earn scores. This style is very effective as it sets up impatient boxers very well but it doesn't earn a lot of scores in an amateur bout. Jose was able to win a decision in this bout. (View videos Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and decision.)

Lamontee Hunt vs Jonathan Bullock

Lamontee Hunt of Bad Lands in Midwest City, Oklahoma took the decision over Jonathan Bullock of Bad Dog Boxing. Both boxers threw loaded punches filled with bad intentions in an effort to make this a short bout. However, both of these boxers are tough and they were going to do whatever it took to wreck havoc on each other. Lamontee got the best of Jonathan in the first round as he landed 3 clean shots to 2 for Jonathan.

Continuing off with the tempo in the first round, Lamontee was countering and initiating his attacks with loaded punches whereas, Jonathan was able to set up his rights with some double jabs of his own. However, Lamontee was able to pull of a close round as he landed 5 clean shots to Jonathan's 4.

Jonathan finally let his hands go in the third round and made finished the bout in an exciting fashion. The boxers came up with 5 cleans shots each. Lamontee was able to win the decision and this was a great experience for Jonathan. It's hard to believe how fast Jonathan has progressed in the sport considering all of his time was spent playing football. Look forward to seeing a rematch between the two next year. (View videos Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, and decision.)

The Kansas-Oklahoma Golden Gloves organizers are in the works to plan for a box off for the middleweight spot on the team for the nationals. The bout may either take place in Oklahoma or Kansas sometime next month. The event will be announced by your boxing examiner once it is scheduled.

Continue to part 3 by click here.