Amateur Boxing, One night in Philadelphia
By Dean Rubenstein Contributing Editor
As I drove by Memorial Hall in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, I couldn't help but imagine what it must have been like during Philadelphia's renaissance period. I imagine that it was bustling with activity and excitement, during the World's fair in 1876. Events like that brought a certain kind of excitement to the site near Belmont and Concourse drive. On Tuesday night, at that same intersection, there was evidence of another renaissance of sorts in the making.
Boxing has been a huge part of Philadelphia tradition for many years, but in the nineties there was a big drop in interest and lack of programs that introduced youngsters to the great sport of boxing. At the 4th annual Lucien Blackwell amateur boxing tournament, at The Dept.of Recreation's Carousel House, there certainly wasn't a lack of excitement. With the former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier and his son former boxer, Marvis in attendance, the crowd roared In the first bout as a couple of mighty mites pounded away at each other's head gear. My first thought as a father of two is that I don't think that I would want my eight year old daughter in the ring getting pummeled, but from the perspective of a parent of a son who is trying to find his way out of the badlands, Boxing and the dedication that goes into the training regimen can lay the foundation for a ticket to a brighter future.
14 year old Miguel Cartagena started training at the age of 7 at Papo's International at B and Allegheny. He is among twenty-five kids that train at the gym In the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. About one-third of those kids have fought at the amateur level. Trained by his father, Joe, Miguel fought his first fight in 2002 and today, has a record of 21-8; He is ranked # 3 in his weight class by U.S.A Boxing. Cartagena, is left-handed but confuses his opponents by his orthodox fighting style. Miguel testifies that Boxing has taught him self control and helped him to learn how to respect his teachers. He now holds his teachers with as much regard as his boxing trainers." When the bell rings," respect gets put aside" Miguel states with fervor, "Boxing has helped me to take out my aggressions." Bullies have tried to goad Miguel into fighting, on the streets of Nicetown, but Miguel avoids confrontation outside of the ring because of obvious risks to his boxing license and subsequent career. Last August, Miguel fought at the Augusta Georgia National Tournament; the 101 pounder scored two knockdowns to garnish his second of four championship belts.
In 29 contests Cartagena has never been knocked to the canvas. On Wednesday, Miguel captured his fourth belt and now moves on to the Nationals starting in December in Ohio, then hopefully moving on to the Championship matches in Kansas City. The 2008 Junior Olympics are just around the corner; expect to see this young fighter representing the U.S. and the Delaware Valley. What does the future hold for Miguel Cartagena? In the years to come, if you don't see him fighting on HBO, he may just be treating your pet as a veterinarian. Thanks in great part to The Philadelphia Dept.of Recreation's dedication to transforming our city's boys into productive young men through the disciplined sport of boxing.
Email dean at bigdean@philaboxingreport.com