3 boxers carrying torch for Utah

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Isaac Aguilar, 19, once had a 0.2 grade-point average in middle school, but graduated from Hunter High with a 3.7 GPA.

Alex Canez, 22, was a chubby 245-pound bully in high school, but now weighs 178 pounds when he fights legally, having (mostly) overcome his passion for cookies and ice cream.

Jose Haro, 21, started getting into trouble when he was 12, not long after his family moved to Utah from Washington.

All three men are now role models for the state's at-risk youth, and all three say there's one reason why: "Boxing made me a better man," Haro said, a notion seconded by Canez and Aguilar.

The three boxers, all trained by Salt Lake City's Rick Montoya at the Eastside Boxing Club, will represent Utah when the Golden Gloves Boxing National Tournament of Champions begins Monday at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

"You are looking at three success stories, right there," Montoya said.

The Utahns are part of the 11-member Rocky Mountain Golden Gloves franchise (teams are called franchises in Golden Gloves), which includes boxers from Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. They will carry the torch this week against nearly 300 other boxers from 28 other franchises.

The field includes five defending champions in the 11 weight classes. New England, champion of last year's event at Grand Rapids, Mich., will defend its team title.

Despite having a glorious and rich tradition, amateur and professional boxing in Utah was sagging a few years ago, acknowledged Montoya, a 20-year veteran in the ring. The growing popularity of mixed martial arts (MMA) has been a factor here just like most places around the country, he said.

But amateur boxing's growth in Utah has been on the upswing the past few years, he said, pointing to five or six new clubs that have popped up between Logan and St. George.

"It's growing, and we are hoping that having the Golden Gloves here will give it another spark," said Troy Fullmer, Utah USA chief of officials and a member of the bid committee headed by Rocky Mountain franchise owner Chick Paris that brought the event to Salt Lake City.

Of course, Fullmer and his brother, tournament director Larry Fullmer, are the nephews of perhaps the best-known boxer in state history, former middleweight world champion Gene Fullmer.

Along with Utahns and past champions such as Jack Dempsey and Rex Layne, Gene Fullmer put the state on the boxing map decades ago. Danny "Little Red" Lopez and Salt Lake City cruiserweight Gary Gomez have carried on that tradition more recently.

Now it is time for Canez, Aguilar and Haro to keep it going, Montoya said.

"They've done well the past few years in national events," Montoya said. "Being that it is going to be here in Salt Lake City, I expect them to do really well. The guys are going to get that home flavor. The ducks are lined up for them to do well."

Haro, the 125-pounder, is perhaps Utah's best chance for a title. This will be his third Golden Gloves national tournament, and he has the most big-event experience, having made the U.S. Junior Olympic team as a teenager.

Haro delayed plans to turn pro so he could participate in the tournament in his hometown. He has an 18-month-old daughter, Evenie, and another child on the way.

"I feel pretty confident," he said.

Canez made it to the quarterfinals last year at Grand Rapids and is looking to improve on that showing.

"Anything less than that can't happen," he said. "That would be a waste of time."

As for Aguilar, the young man who got his act together academically and now wants to work in the medical profession, this is also his third trip to nationals. Unfortunately, he's in the same weight class (112) as Colorado's Louie Byrd, who won a title last year at 106.

"I'm just planning to give it my all and see what happens," Aguilar said.

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