It seems like Antonio Negron had everything working against him when he lost his fight in the Michigan Golden Gloves semifinals held Friday, April 26 at the Grand Valley National Guard Armory in Wyoming, near Grand Rapids.
The 17-year-old Oxford boxer was battling both a more experienced fighter in his late 20s and a swarm of reporters, photographers and TV cameras following his every bob and weave.
‘He got a little stage fright,? said his trainer Shane Blower, co-owner of the Oxford-based Strike Fitness Club (275 S. Glaspie St.) where Negron hones his skills.
‘Basically, I think his adrenaline dump happened about 45 minutes before the fight instead of right when it needed to (occur). He’s 17 years old ? he’s got to mature a little bit more as a fighter. But I think he’s going to do fine.?
Negron lost to Zack Schmuck in the novice division’s 152-pound weight class. After fighting three, two-minute rounds, he lost by decision, not by knockout.
‘He just didn’t fight his fight,? Blower said. ‘He kind of got away from his game plan (of) using his reach. He just didn’t fight the way we know he knows how to fight.?
At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, Negron’s long reach has usually been one of his main advantages in the ring.
Negron’s amateur record is now 5-2.
Blower made it clear this loss wasn’t the final note in Negron’s boxing career.
In fact, the young man was back in the gym this week, training to fight in July.
‘He’s not going out with his head down,? he said. ‘Everybody is a little disappointed, but how he’s handling this tells you what type of man he’s becoming. He wants to get back at it ? that’s good.?