Lara delivers in Gloves slugfest

ALEXANDER LARA (Worldwide BC) outboxed Pablo Banderas (Ardon Sweet Science) in an epic 178-pound Daily News Golden Gloves novice slugfest at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn.

At the opening bell, both boxers crashed the middle of the ring like rams, landing hooks and haymakers. Lara took control after the wild first 30 seconds, stepping back, getting his distance and landing solid uppercuts.

Banderas came back with the same fury in the second round, landing big hooks early, but Lara stayed calm. He established his distance again, then went to work, countering well off of a few wild misses from Banderas. One of those counters, a heavy right hook, staggered Banderas, causing the referee to step in and administer a standing-8 count.

Lara followed up, landing two hard body shots, that seemed to anger Banderas, who responded with another assault. The two brawled to the bell, earning a standing ovation.

In the final round, Banderas landed a big combo to the head that wobbled Lara, causing the ref to now give him a standing-8 count, but it wasn’t enough as Lara picked up a 5-0 decision in the Colony Pest Fight of the Night.

The P.C. Richard Boxer of the Night went to Charles Fayet (Mendez BC), who stopped Driton Hasanehekaj (Mt Vernon BC) in their 201-pound novice bout. Fayet showed some serious power, unloading bombs from every angle and giving Hasanehekaj a bloody nose, causing his corner to abandon the bout at 1:42 of the second round.

The Empire Casino Punch of the Night was thrown by Jillian Bliss (Mendez BC), a bullet straight right that stopped Georgene Zagarino, followed by a barrage of unanswered punches that caused the ref to stop the 132-pound quarterfinal bout at 1:38 of the third round.

The following boxers received byes: Shanel Blackman (Worldwide BC) and Gvantsa Pantsulaia (Gleason's Gym) in the 132-F class; Afunwa King (El Maestro BC), Matthew Kligerman (Worldwide BC), and Jay Torres (Worldwide BC) in the 178-pound open class; Justin Buckley (Unattached), Daniel Eguche (Mendez BC) and Osaze Mathews (EQBC) in the 201-pound novice class.

“This is the closest I’ve ever been to the ring,” said Brooklyn councilwoman Darlene Mealy, sitting ringside at the Grotta Azzura Restaurant-sponsored event, “and its been a phenomenal experience.”

The next Golden Gloves event will take place 8:00 tonight at Newburgh Free School in Newburgh.