Amigo Brothers

Amigo Brothers

by Piri Thomas

Background: What are the Golden Gloves?

In boxing, the “Golden Gloves” refers to a name that is given to a tournament strictly designed for amateur (unpaid) boxers in the United States. The first Golden Gloves tournament took place in 1923 in Chicago. During that time, all of the amateur (unpaid) boxers who won their fights received miniature golden gloves as their prizes. Ever since that time, Golden Glove boxing has become a deep and integral part of the amateur (unpaid) boxing scene in the United States.

Background: Past Winners

Many Golden Gloves champions went on to become professional world champions. Among them were Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Barney Ross, Floyd Patterson, and Sugar Ray Leonard. Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) won six national and local Golden Gloves titles, the first at age 14.

Poll

Based on background information is it reasonable to infer that winners of the Golden Gloves competition will most likely become professional (paid) boxers.

• I agree

• I disagree

Background: What are the Golden Gloves in boxing important for?

To win a Golden Gloves competition, fighters must be prepared physically and mentally. Many of these amateur fighters train for many years before entering a tournament like this. While the challenges associated with Golden Gloves competition is generally very hard, it’s also worth it. They can provide a fighter with the exposure that they need to possibly fight on a professional level and/or receive sponsors.

Barrage

the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area.

Antonio then beat the air with a barrage of body blows and short devastating lefts with an overhand, jawbreaking right.

Bedlam

a noisy confusion.

Bedlam broke loose as Felix’s legs momentarily buckled. He fought off a series of rights and lefts and came back with a strong right that taught Antonio respect.

Clarity

clearness of mind.

The cold-water sponges brought clarity to both amigo brothers.

Multiple Choice

Choose the word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

The noise in the gym was so loud that Felix couldn’t

hear himself think.

• barrage

• bedlam

Devastating

Wreaking or capable of wreaking complete destruction.

Antonio then beat the air with a barrage of body blows and short devastating lefts with an overhand, jawbreaking right.

Dignitary

an important or influential person.

There were speeches by dignitaries, community leaders, and great boxers of yesteryear.

Multiple Choice

Choose the vocabulary word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

In the ring, both fighters threw blows that were extremely

good at causing pain.

• barrage

• devastating

• bedlam

Dispel

cause to separate and go in different directions.

If Felix had any small doubt about their friendship affecting their fight, it was being neatly dispelled.

Evade

to avoid or avoiding.

Antonio, groggy, bobbed and weaved, evading most of the blows.

Multiple Choice

Choose the vocabulary word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

The trainer sat deep in thought.

• Clarity

• Barrage

• Dignitary

• Dispel

Flail

to wave wildly.

His long legs turned to jelly, and his arms flailed out desperately. Felix, grunting like a bull, threw wild punches from every direction.

Torrent

a violent, rushing stream.

Felix did a last shuffle, bobbing and weaving, while letting loose a torrent of blows that would demolish whatever got in its way.

Multiple Select

A winner of the Golden Gloves competition a dignitary for the sport of boxing.

• True

• False

Perpetual

continual; unending.

The night air was blurred with perpetual motions of left hooks and right crosses.

Unbridled

lacking restraint or control.

Antonio’s fans bet with unbridled faith in his boxing skills.

Improvise

composed or performed at the spur of the moment.

Some were well prepared, some improvised on the spot.

Multiple Choice

Choose the vocabulary word that is

similar in meaning to the boldfaced word or phrase.

Felix was in continual motion on his feet.

• Clarity

• Bedlam

• Perpetual

• Flail

Pensively

musingly or dreamily thoughtful, suggestive of sad thoughtfulness.

Tony scratched his nose pensively.