Boxing: Stufano, Flora among local draws to Ring Masters amateur tournament on Saturday
When Nivon Stufano first began training with Kariym Patterson, a few of the other club members laughed and scoffed when the coach predicted that his newest pupil would become a competitive boxer.
But he didn’t take offense.
“Because we understood why they were dismissive,” said Patterson, who owns APJ Boxing in Poughkeepsie. “Nivon had no skills at the time and, from the outside looking in, nobody would’ve been impressed. But what I saw from working with him was the kind of mindset and determination that can lead someone to succeed in whatever they’re doing.”
That diligence throughout the six years since has helped him become a local standout, having gained knowledge and technical skills to complement his talent.
The Poughkeepsie resident now is one of the headliners pursuing a regional title as he competes in the USA Boxing Metropolitan semifinals on Saturday.
Stufano will be among a handful of Hudson Valley natives squaring off in the 2025 Ring Masters Championships at the Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie. The event, hosted by the Floyd Patterson Boxing Club, begins with weigh-ins at 1 p.m. and doors open at 3 p.m.
The Ring Masters tournament serves as a qualifier for the National Golden Gloves. The winners of the semifinals on Saturday advance to the finals April 17 at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s amazing to see the progress he’s made, but I’m not shocked,” Patterson said of the 31-year-old Stufano, who also reached the semifinals of this tournament in 2023. “When you have someone with his work ethic, you expect them to eventually do well because they’ll do whatever it takes to learn and improve.”
Stufano, competing at 132 pounds, will face Michael Algieri in one of the more anticipated matches.
Another of the Poughkeepsie boxers is Frankie Flora, who’ll compete in the 143-pound quarterfinals. Flora famously survived being mauled by a Pitbull as a 5-year-old in 2009. He now is a promising up-and-comer whom Patterson described as “quick on his feet” and “fearless.”
Hyde Park’s Moses Whitehead isn’t part of the Metro tournament, but his competitive debut will be among the exhibition bouts. The 24-year-old faces Peekskill novice Aaron Bailey in a 123-pound match.
“The kid not only has a chance to win this fight, but I think he can be special,” said Anthony Bongiorni, owner of the Floyd Patterson club in Highland, where Whitehead trains. “He only got into boxing two years ago and the strides he's made are unbelievable. He's been impressive in sparring and he’s handling some guys who are way more experienced.”
What once was the New York Golden Gloves was replaced by the Ring Masters tournament, organized by USA Boxing Metro, a governing body that oversees amateur competition in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley. The organization is led by Ray Cuadrado and Sonya Lamonakis, a former IBO world heavyweight champion. Bongiorni credited them for helping revive the event.
“The boxing community in this area is small and we’re constantly trying to grow it,” Patterson said. “Events like this draw attention to the sport locally and, hopefully, will get some young people aspiring to compete at a high level themselves.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
Ring Masters Championships
Where: Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in PoughkeepsieWhen: Saturday at 3 p.m. (Fights are scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.)Tickets: $25 for adults, $13 for children under age 13. Free for kids 5 and under. Contact hosts Anthony Bongiorni (845-430-0082) and Brian Burke (845-702-6480) for tickets.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boxing: Stufano, Whitehead, Flora fight in Metro Ring Masters tourney
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