Local boxer, 11, to compete in national regionals

Staff report

Luis Sandoval is getting ready to step on a big stage.

The 11-year-old fifth-grader at La Casita Elementary will be in Pasadena, Calif., this week for the Region VIII Silver Gloves championships.

Sandoval and his coach, Tony Romero, were to fly out of Albuquerque today for the event, which starts Thursday and runs through Sunday.

Sandoval, who has an 18-3 record, won the state junior (ages 10-11) title in Las Vegas, N.M., last month. He was the state bantam (8-9) champion two years ago.

“We have a good chance (to do well),” Romero said. “It’s all about fun. We work to win, but we like to have fun.

“Hopefully, he’ll do good. If somebody beats him, he’ll have to be a good fighter.”

Sandoval is slated to compete in the 75-80-pound classification, Romero said. Two years ago, he was in the 65-70-pound category.

Winners in the regional meet, which takes in most of the western third of the United States, will compete in national competition next month at Independence, Mo.

Romero and Sandoval have raised $1,500 for the trip through donations from local businesses and “boxing fans,” Romero said, for which they are grateful.

“We’re ready to get after it,” Romero said. “We want to do the best we can.”

Romero said this is the second boxer he has coached to the regional level of competition. He said Marshall “Rocky” Moore accomplished the feat several years ago under his tutelage.