Please tell me about the National Golden Gloves Toournament

[Weston]

Unfortunately, I have never been to the National Golden Gloves Tournament (I do go to the New England Golden gloves in Lowell, Ma). What is the National tournament like. Do they really have 3 rings? How many attend? I know it is a week long event, but if a person were going to just catch 3 or 4 days would early or late in the week be better (obviously the finals would be good, but you would see more fighters and fights early i would think).

I understand it is in Little Rock this year. Is it worth the flight, hotel and ticket prices?

[Dennis]

It is a great experience. Yes, they have 3 rings for the first 4 days, then they go down to 1 ring for the semi-finals and finals. Monday is for 1/2 of the weight classes - 108, 123, 141, 165, and 201. Tuesday is for the other 1/2 of the weight classes - 114, 132, 152, 178, and 201+.

[Dennis]

Wednesday is a long day as it is the first day with all the weight classes. Friday can also be a long night with 20 bouts in 1 ring.

Sometimes some great bouts happen on Monday or Tuesday due to the luck of the draw. You can have two of the top-ranked boxers meet each other early in the tournament.