KING CITY — South Monterey County boxers Brian Cruz and Andre Mosqueda have qualified to compete at the 2024 National Silver Gloves Championships after winning titles at the Southern Regional Silver Gloves Championships in Compton.
Cruz, a 13-year-old middle school student from Paso Robles, won the 85-pound weight class at Compton, and 10-year-old Mosqueda of King City was the champion in the 95-pound division.
Competing at Compton but not qualifying for the nationals from the San Ardo Boxing Club was Miguel Hernandez. Joel Losoya of King City fought in Compton for the King City Boxing Club.
“Bryan has been competing now for four years and Andre is in his second year,” said San Ardo and King City Boxing Club’s head coach Rodolfo Tapia. “The first step to reach the national championships was placing at a three-day tournament in Fresno, followed by another State qualifier for four days. At the Regionals the boys faced competition from Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. The nationals will take place in Independence, Mo., and the level of competition will be very tough. In a tournament that big you have to keep training in between your matches and eat well to keep your weight down.”
Cruz is the son of Pedro and Maira Cruz of San Ardo, and Mosqueda is the son of Guadalupe and Neida Mosqueda of King City.
Coach Tapia has been coaching boxing in the South Monterey County area since 1998, and his son Alexis Tapia serves as his assistant coach.
The National Silver Gloves will be contested starting Feb. 1 to 3.
