Local boxers advance to regional meet

CLOVIS – Two members of Clovis’s Sinner’s Den Boxing Club at Roy Walker Center were victorious in state Silver Gloves (ages 8-16) competition on Dec. 17 in Albuquerque and are moving on to a seven-state regional next week in California.

Coach Elijio Sena said King Reese in the 9-10-year-old 70-pound division and Xavian Silvas in the 15-16’s 165-pound class were winners on unanimous decisions at Albuquerque. Silvas is a two-time New Mexico champion.

Two other members of the club lost their bouts – Kasson Peppin in the 11-12 75-pound division, on a split decision, and Vidal Lopez in the 12-13 age group at 108 pounds, by unanimous decision.

“All four of them are getting better and better,” Sena said. “They all have more than 10 fights except Kasson, who’s had seven or eight.”

Silver Gloves takes in youths between the ages of 8 and 16.

“Our gym has been open for two years now,” Sena said. “I believe we have some of the best fighters in the state.”

Another local fighter, Colton Brigham, automatically advanced as he won unopposed in the 15-16 age group at 125 pounds. Brigham is coached by Earl Large.

The regional tournament on Jan. 4 covers seven states, also including Hawaii, California, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado. Winners there advance to national competition from Feb. 8-11 at Independence, Mo.

“We have over 20 fighters, including 15 that are registered and actually fighting (in competition),” Sena said.

Sinners Den plans to host a tournament at the end of February at Roy Walker, Sena said, and another on July 28-29 at Curry County Events Center. He said the latter event will include an as-yet-to-be-determined guest from the professional boxing ranks.

Sena said his group is trying to gain sponsors to help with the cost of the trip to California. Anyone interested can contact him at 575-693-2391.