Lowell teacher unable to advance
But Chhay a winner in spirited 112-pound bout
LOWELL >> The teacher became the student Thursday night.
After an impressive debut two weeks ago, Lowell native and physical education teacher Kathryn Rindo lost to Walpole’s Katie Donohue by unanimous decision in the 125-pound female novice division final at the 77th New England Golden Gloves at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Presented by Lowell Sun Charities, the nine-week event rolled into week four with 12 fights, including eight novice division bouts in the finals of the Central New England championships.
Each novice bout was scheduled for three two-minute rounds, with three open battles slated for three three-minute rounds.
A Lowell Catholic grad and Mcavinnue Elementary physical education teacher, Rindo was unable to defend against Donohue, who unleashed a strong assortment of body shots from the opening bell. The gym teacher still managed to get in her licks, landing nice haymaker and lancing left to the head in round two, but was unable to sustain momentum.
Rindo, who had defeated the defending Golden Gloves champ Amy Pole in a split decision in week 2, declined to comment following the fight.
Meanwhile, another local favorite, Kimhong Chhay (112) pulled out the split decision victory over Dover’s Nick Mangiaretti.
A Lowell resident, Chhay unloaded a fast and furious combination in the opening round, sending his opponent to the ropes. He finished the flurry off in style, connecting on a sharp right to the head, setting the early tempo.
“It feels great,” said Chhay. “I just worked hard. I dedicated myself. My trainers came up with the game plan. I just executed it, but he was good.”
The Mcnally Boxing student continued to pepper his oppo
nent in round two, pinning Mangiaretti to the ropes yet again. A Boston Boxing enthusiast, Mangiaretti managed to avoid further damage in round three, but was unable to mount much of a counterattack to earn the split.
Chhay had previously earned an unanimous decision over Brighton’s Andrew Lee in a 112-pound novice fight in Week 2. A Golden Gloves veteran, this was the first time he had to fight in back-to-back weeks.
“This is my first time fighting for Top Central,” said Chhay. “Normally I just fight for all-new England, because usually there’s no one in my division to fight. I’m excited to pull this out.”
Another Lowell resident and Golden Gloves veteran, Brandy Lee Young lost her 125-pound open female match with Milton’s Jenn Perella.
“I felt great,” said Young, a Redline Fight Sports staple. “I’m a little tired, but I felt like I did enough to take the win.”
According to her trainer, the fight was controversial since Perella was fighting with a cheek protector on her headgear, which he claimed was illegal. He has already asked for a rematch. As for Young, the thrill of fighting in her hometown never gets old.
“This is a bucket list thing for me,” said Young. “I did it last year. I wanted to do win it this year, but we still have one more year.”
Idris Bashir of Portland
Boxing Club lost to Jordan George Bellitti of Cambridge in a special 147-pound bout to open the night. A Portland Boxing Club member, Bashir was effective working the body in first round, but was unable to overcome Bellitti’s brute strength and potent left hook.
Larissa Senatus (165) defeated Madeline Haufe of Hudson Fight Club by split decision in their novice female battle. Senatus came out swinging. The Cambridge resident got the early jump on Haufe with a first-round flurry, putting her on the defensive. Haufe hung tough in round two, with both two trading serious blows, before getting hemmed into a corner. Senatus fought off sheer exhaustion towards the end of round two, but managed to hold it together in the third, despite finishing on fumes.
In Open action, Everett’s Shea Wilcox (147) scored the first knockout of the night, flooring Michael Rivera of Nonantum Boxing Club just 1:46 into the first round. Packing a powerful right cross, Wilcox staggered Rivera just seconds earlier prompting a standing eight count before finishing his opponent with a jab, and roundhouse right, sending him to the canvas. The referee stopped the fight moments later.
Framingham’s Jareed Gaines (203+) earned an unanimous decision over Viondy Merisma in their heavyweight rumble. Lynn’s Taylor Deterding (146) also earned an unanimous decision over Malden’s Amber Caldwell.