Chattanooga, Tenn. • Clearfield boxer Jon Bryant took a step closer to his dream of winning a national championship before he turns professional with a 4-1 decision Tuesday night over Nicholas Amore-Anderson of the Tri-State franchise at the Golden Gloves National Tournament of Champions.
Fighting in the 152-pound weight division, Bryant controlled the fight from the opening bell to get his first-ever victory at nationals, in three tries.
Also Tuesday, Robert Martinez of Rose Park lost a 5-0 decision to Leonid Grachev of the Colorado/New Mexico franchise in the super heavyweight division (above 201 pounds).
Salt Lake City’s Juan Higuera defeated an opponent from Colorado/New Mexico when the referee stopped the contest in the 201-pound division. Felipe Nino of West Valley City lost a 3-2 decision to Jorge Madrid of Colorado/New Mexico at 141 pounds.
Five male fighters from Utah — St. George’s Matt Searle, Ogden’s Diego Alvarez and Jay Wright, Salt Lake City’s Danny Galloway and West Jordan’s Toa Piutau — drew byes Tuesday to advance to the next round.
Several of the five women on the Utah-based Rocky Mountain franchise’s team will make their tournament debuts Wednesday. The list includes Park City’s Maryguenn Vellinga, South Jordan’s Stephanie Mendoza, Salt Lake City’s Jackie Barco and Madeline Waltman and Kendra Reeves of Twin Falls, Idaho.