PANTOJA NOW FIGHTS FOR BELOVED COUNTRY
Former Lowell resident honored at the Golden Gloves
LOWELL >> Whether fighting in the boxing ring, or for his country, Henry Pantoja has always answered the bell.
The former Lowell resident, a U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major, was the honored guest during the closing ceremonies of the 76th annual New England Golden Gloves on Thursday at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
A former Golden Gloves champion, and highly decorated United States Army officer, Pantoja was saluted prior to the opening bout, receiving a standing ovation from the capacity crowd of 1,904.
“This is amazing,” said Pantoja, 44. “I love Lowell. I didn’t know all this was going to happen, but it’s awesome being back home, seeing a lot of my friends, and a lot of old faces.”
He received a warm welcome from a number of local luminaries, including Bob Russo, national president of Golden Gloves of America and executive director of New England Golden Gloves, Kevin Coughlin, president of Lowell Sun Charities, Susan Hoar, the wife of the late Golden Gloves director Bill Hoar, his coach, David Ortiz, as well as close friend and training partner Jose Ayala.
“It’s always amazing and awesome being back here,” said Pantoja.
Born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico in 1978, Pantoja and his family moved to Lowell in March 1988 at age 10. He started studying the sweet science as a teenager, following in his family’s footsteps. His cousin was married to Reggie Brown, part of an intimidating stable of brothers that included Golden Gloves champions Roberto and Adrian Brown. The trio would take the youngster to Mickey O’keefe’s old gym on Broadway Street.
“I tried to fight, but didn’t like it,” he said. “And I didn’t want to do it.”
That summer fate interceded, as the youngster and his mother crossed paths with Ortiz in front of their home, while riding his bike to Salem Street.
“David invited me to come back to the gym,” said Pantoja. “He started picking me up and connecting me with Jose Ayala. David turned me into a novice and eventual New England Golden Gloves champion.”
Pantoja said Ortiz was a positive influence in the young boxer’s career.
“David’s dedicated to this craft,” said Pantoja. “He made sure he took care of us, taking us to the gym, and giving us rides. He provided everything we needed. You’ve got to be thankful for people like that.”
Pantoja made a strong first impression at the 1995 Golden Gloves tournament. The 16-yearold clinched the 106-pound male novice division title with a unanimous decision on Feb. 14.
“It was epic,” said Pantoja, who defeated a Boston-based college student. “It was a great fight and a unanimous decision.”
He raised the stakes the following year, moving up to the 112-pound male open division, setting the stage for a New England title shot in the process.
“I lost at Greater Lowell’s
and ended up being an alternate at nationals because Jose got hurt,” said Pantoja, who was 17 at the time. “So I went to nationals at 112 pounds and won the fight, beating Andrew Jackson of Indiana.”
His last Golden Gloves tour was in 1997 competing in the 106-pound male open bracket, before enlisting in the army the following year, when he turned 19.
Pantoja joined the United States Army in February 1998 and completed One Station Unit Training as a 19K Armor Crewman at Fort Knox, Ky. He has served in various assignments throughout the United States and overseas, including HHT and Delta Company 1st Squadron 11tharmored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Irwin, among others.
The army vet has been deployed on multiple overseas and combat missions, including Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II and Operation New Dawn. He’s also held leadership positions as an Armored Crewman M1A1 Tank Gunner; and Tank Commander, among others. He received many meritorious commendations, including the bronze star medal and the meritorious service medal.
Currently residing in Forth Benning, Ga., his visit back home to Lowell was as much for work as it was pleasure. “I came back here to help to bring the community and army recruiters together,” said Pantoja. “I’ve always said it’s important to come back to Lowell and give back to the community There might be another Henry Pantoja out there. If you can just impact one person life, especially here in the Latino community in Lowell, we have to break the cycles, get an education and try to progress our lives. That’s important to me and that’s my plan.”
And another fight Pantoja is confident he will ultimately win.