Locals set for Golden Gloves journey

The 2019 Western New England Golden Gloves season is just underway, meaning it’s a busy time for Danbury’s Champs Boxing Club and its team the CBC Wolfpack.

The Golden Gloves is broken up into four divisions with its own tournament, and the winners move on to the All-New England Golden Gloves in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Western New England edition takes place in Hartford.

The Wolfpack are bringing five fighters to the tournament.

Fernely Feliz Jr. is a threetime New England and All-New England Golden Gloves champion in the super heavyweight division (201 pounds and over). He has competed in the National Golden Gloves the past two years, falling just short both times. He is looking to make it four years in a row as champion.

Giovanni Rivera is comping in his first Golden Gloves tournament, in the novice 165-pound division. He’s been sparring with both professionals and amateurs, most notably Danbury’s own professional Omar Bordoy.

Alex Lapinski is also competing in his first Golden Gloves; he will be competing in the novice super heavyweight division. He has been sparring with Feliz as well.

Cesar Collado competed in the Golden Gloves last year, and lost in the semifinals. He will be fighting in the novice 141-pound division.

Stephanie Moss is competing in her first Golden Gloves; she will fight in the 152-pound division.

Fernely Feliz Sr., Bennie Little, David McDonough, Mike Marshall, Omar Bordoy and Simon Lavie will coach the squad.