CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE — Four local athletes representing Loughran's Olympic Boxing competed in the Southeastern Golden Gloves this past Saturday in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Super heavyweight Masen Wise was the first local boxer to vie for the prestigious Golden Gloves title. Wise faced a larger, more experienced opponent from Decatur, Georgia.
The first round proved to be action-packed, with Wise pressing the action while his opponent countered and moved laterally to evade Wise's powerful blows.
The second round saw Wise come out aggressively, forcing the referee to administer a standing eight count on his opponent early in the round. Wise continued to apply pressure with heavy punches reminiscent of the late George Foreman, forcing the referee to stop the bout before the end of the second round.
"Masen is a phenomenal athlete. He has explosive power in both hands, along with the speed and agility of a middleweight. He has scored three straight KOs and will be making his pro debut this year," said trainer Jerry Loughran.
Seventeen-year-old Wyatt Probus followed Wise in the next bout, facing a tough opponent from Rhett Kenny.
Defending Southeastern Golden Gloves Champion Probus scored eight counts on his adversary in the first and third rounds, becoming a two-time champion and improving his record to a perfect 7-0.
Fourteen-year-old Parker Collins also claimed his first Golden Gloves title at the event, winning by unanimous decision over an Alabama boxer.
The only blemish for Loughran's Olympic Boxing came from an open class bout featuring local star Ayden Mills. Mills faced an athlete from the Carlos Perales Boxing Academy in Georgia. The contest featured heated exchanges from start to finish, with neither athlete able to dominate or score an eight count against the other. Mills ultimately came up one point short on a split decision.
"Ayden hasn't lost in two years. The other boxer is from one of the top gyms in the nation, which has produced multiple national champions, and I thought we pulled it out. This young man has a legitimate chance to participate in the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials, so we are fast-tracking him to get there," trainer Jerry Loughran remarked.
Loughran's Olympic Boxing's next competition date is set for April 12, in Ashland. The facility is located at 361 Levi Jackson Mill Rd and can be reached at 859-333-7025.
