Las Vegas boxers KO counterparts

     By Todd Dewey
     View staff writer
      Las Vegas has long been known as the boxing capital of the world, but it has never been known for its culture.
      However, boxing and culture collided recently in the third annual British-American Cup, a cultural exchange at Sam's Town that brought together amateur boxers from Las Vegas and the United Kingdom.
      The team from Las Vegas, which featured boxers ages 12 and older from several area gyms -- including the Nevada Partners, Golden Gloves, Barry's Boxing and the North Las Vegas Center Ring -- won the event for the third straight year, 10-7, but the tournament was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.
      "We really supported our kids today because that's what it's all about," said coordinator Richard Steele, a longtime professional boxing referee who was recently voted for induction into the Boxing Hall of Fame and was instrumental in starting Nevada Partners. "We try to show young people what boxing can do for them, by leading a good, clean life. Maybe they can't be champions in the ring, but they can be champions in the community and be good role models. All of the boxing clubs here in Nevada spend a lot of time with the kids because they are the champions of tomorrow."
      Robert Waterman, the promoter for the British team, said the event also means a great deal to the boxers from overseas.
      "We do it every year because it's a great experience for the kids to fight in what we consider the capital of boxing -- Las Vegas," he said. "Some of them come from underprivileged homes and, for some of them, it's their first time out of the U.K. If nothing else, they can say they fought in the boxing capital of the world. There are no losers here. Everyone's a winner -- win, lose or draw. They all learned about respecting each other and sportsmanship and they learned about each other's countries."
      The British team took the opening match of the day as Tommy Holohan beat Louis Ayala, 4-1, in a battle of 85-pound 12-year-olds. But Las Vegas boxers won the next seven bouts to all but seal victory in the dual tournament.
      Lucio Mendoza (11) beat Ashley Sexton (12) 4-1 in an 86-pound matchup to tie the event for Nevada, and then Enrique Avilar (12) topped Simon O'Donnell (12) 4-1, in an 87-pound fight, to give Las Vegas a lead it would not relinquish.
      "They fought their hearts out," Steele said. "We were very happy to keep the Cup."
      Other Las Vegans who posted victories included Juan Munoz (12), who beat Jimmy Butcher (13) 4-1 at 106 pounds. Daniel Aguilar (14) then fought his way past Simon O'Donnell (14), 4-1, in a 115-pound bout that was voted best fight of the tournament.
      Ryan Ellul (14) extended Nevada's winning streak with a 3-2 triumph over Joe Smyth (14) at 134 pounds. Isaiah Jeffries (15) made it six in a row for the home team when he blanked Bea Tuvey (14) 5-0 at 135 pounds. Jesus Gandara (14) gave Las Vegas its seventh straight win when he defeated Daley Ojuederie (14) 4-1 at 140 pounds.
      Albert Bibby (15) beat Antonio Hernandez (14) 5-0 at 96 pounds and Luke Culvert (15) topped Tim Coleman (15) at 147 pounds to make it 7-3.
      Devon McClodden (16) gave Nevada its eighth victory when he stopped Patrick Ward (15) in the third round of their 149-pound bout. Michael Ford (16), who was named outstanding boxer of the tournament, kept the British hopes alive when he beat Dominic Chavez (16) 4-1, in a 133-pound matchup. But Chris Ben-Tchavtchavadze (27) clinched the cup for Nevada when he shut out Danny Madden (18), 5-0, at 128 pounds.
      Despite the loss, Madden said he was glad he made the trip to Las Vegas.
      "It means a lot to me," he said. "It was the first time over(seas) for me. It's one of the things I've always wanted to do, box on a team. I've never boxed out of England before."
      In the final four matches, Martin O'Donnell (18) of Great Britain stopped Jorge Perez (20) in the third round of their 149-pound bout; Ramin Zabeti (21) of Nevada stopped Anthony Crook (21) in the second round at 165 pounds; John O'Donnell (18) of Great Britain beat Walter Reyes (18) 3-2 at 137 pounds; and Roman Greenburg (17) made it respectable for the British when he beat Irvin Stoval (20) 4-1 at 200 pounds in the last fight of the night.
      With a turnout of nearly 400 people, Steele deemed the event a success.
      "We had a great turnout," he said. "And the kids loved it."