On July 23, two local fighters saw their campaigns for a Ring Masters championship come up just short, as Rafael Castillo and Cat Martinez—both representing Champs Boxing Club—fell in the double-elimination finals held at John’s Boxing Gym in the Bronx.
Despite their eventual defeats in the finals, however, both Martinez and Castillo believes that they learned valuable lessons competing in the months-long tournament.
On Saturday, Martinez and Castillo—competing in the 125 Elite Female and 139 Elite Male divisions respectively—took part in the Ring Masters Double Elimination Finals, the final leg of a National Golden Gloves qualifier tournament that began in March. The competition, which was presented by USA Boxing Metro, featured some of the top amateur boxers from the area and played out in venues across Westchester, New York City and Long Island.
The finals offered the Champs Boxing Club duo one more chance against opponents they had become quite familiar with during the tournament, they both faced their finals foes for a third and decisive rubber match with the crown on the line.
Martinez dropped a unanimous decision to Gleason Athletic Club’s Jaclyn McAllister in a spirited bout, while Castillo found himself on the short end of a split decision against Antonino Tantillo of the NYC Cops and Kids Boxing Club.
Martinez said that coming into Saturday’s bout, she was well aware of her opponent’s power, and even though she hoped to use her speed to her advantage, she found herself drawn into an electric slugfest that ultimately ended up benefitting the Gleason’s product.
“She’s a big, strong girl, so my plan was to outbox her,” said Martinez. “But I think I got caught up and brawled with her.”
Castillo and Tantillo’s third fight was no less exciting, as the two spent the better part of three rounds exchanging blistering combinations.
“That second fight was where [Tantillo] made his adjustments so I switched some things up this time around, tried to get him to chase me a little bit and meet him in the middle,” said Castillo. “I think it worked out for me a little bit better.”
Both Champs boxers said that the event truly tested their mettle and helped them find out more about who they were, both as fighters and individuals. Martinez, who started boxing in 2019, said that her showing in the tournament reaffirmed her faith in her abilities.
“I learned that I have a lot of heart and I can take a big punch,” said Martinez. “I fight against people with a lot more experience than me, I spar with people who have a lot more experience than me, and I feel like I can go out and compete against anybody.”
Castillo added that he welcomed the chance to square off against some of the top fighters in the area and that the experience he gained during the tournament should serve him well in the future.
“It was a great tournament, it was long, but it was a lot of fun,” added Castillo. “I got experience against some of the best amateurs in New York City, so that only makes you better.”
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