Medford brothers put on show
Twins earn novice division titles before big crowd
LOWELL >> Medford’s bruise brothers reigned supreme at the 77th New England Golden Gloves on Thursday at Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
Fraternal twins Christian Schurko and Anthony Schurko both pulled out a pair of unanimous decision victories in front of a capacity crowd.
Presented by Lowell Sun Charities, the nine-week rumble rolled into week five with 12 fights, including six novice division bouts in the Central New England Finals.
Each novice bout was scheduled for three two-minute rounds, with open matches set for three three-minute rounds.
The Schurko brothers fronted Thursday’s card and didn’t disappoint. Christian battled Billerica’s Trenton Giacobbe in a one-sided affair to claim the 125-pound novice division trophy, while Anthony followed by hammering Haverhill’s Yancy Quiñonez in a classic 132-pound novice tilt.
“It feels awesome for both of us,” said Anthony, 20, the older brother by a minute. “We were here in the finals last year and both lost. We’re back this year and both took it home, so it feels phenomenal.”
Competing in the second bout of the night, Christian Schurko found himself giving up a lot of size and reach against the 6-foot Giacobbe, but managed to make up for his lack of size with a a fierce and fiery resolve.
“This is awesome,” said Christian, 20. “I’ve dedicated my whole life to this, every day of my life.”
A Burlington Boxing Academy student, Giacobbe came out aggressive early in the first, keeping Schurko at a respectful distance. The Medford resident still
managed to score points however with several wellplaced punches. He continued to work the body in round two, connecting on a big haymaker that rocked Giacobbe’s unorthodox style.
“Trenton’s a great fighter,” said Christian. “He’s respectful and a class kid. It was tough one, but I think we just outboxed him. We stuck to the jab as well. I think that’s all we needed to get it.”
Anthony’s showdown with Quiñonez was more of a hard-hitting affair with both trading heavy hands from the opening bell. But as time wore on fatigue set in on Quiñonez, giving Schurko the opening he was looking for. The hard-thowing right hander scored his first of two standing eight counts in the second round. He continued to pepper his opponent with a glittering combination to start the third, earning his second standing eight only moments later, en route to the clear-cut decision.
“I think he … got tired,” said Anthony. “I’ve got a good gas tank. I was hitting him with strong shots. I took over the fight. That was it.”
The win is the latest in a string of victories for the older brother, who previously won the Marciano and New England Tournaments.
“It feels great,” said Anthony. “I’m really excited. I can’t wait to just go on to the King of the Ring and take that one next.”
Meanwhile, Kingston, N.H., police officer Tess Watler stopped Somerville slugger Jade Oberholtzer by unanimous decision in a 132-pound women’s novice division bout.
A Phillips Exeter Academy graduate, Watler, 28, worked the body in the opening round and did not let up.
“It feels so good,” said Watler. “Last time I was thinking one more after this and I’m done, but this one seemed like everything was on the line. I’ve been training for this for three years now. I’m proud of myself. “
Sporting black trunks, Watler stunned her opponent with a staggering left in the second round, before unloading a powerful right cross in the third, both prompting standing eight counts. It was a strong showing for someone who returned to the squared circle after taking a year off to attend the police academy.
“She was tough puncher,” said Watler. “I think of all seven fights I’ve had, she may have been the hardest one so far, and she’s only had three fights.”
Waltham’s Danielle Millian opened the card by beating West Roxbury’s Noelle Boran by split decision in the 119-pound women’s open final.
A Boston Boxing fighter, Boran sported a sharp left jab in round one, catching her opponent with a early flurry in round two. After a somewhat tentative start, Millian caught her second wind midway through the second round. The STC Boxer rallied connected with a pair of uppercuts, keying her comeback.
In other novice division action, Lawrence resident E’armani Corporan (139) dropped Dorchester’s Kevin Dang, Natick’s Andrew Nassif (165) topped Derry, N.H., native Daniel Savage, and Somerville’s Micheal Ford (203) stoned Darlyn Rivera, all by unanimous decision. Walpole’s Aiden Feeney also fended off Henry Ung of Jamaica Plain, by split decision in the 139-pound open match.