Like the Manny Pacquiao of American amateur boxing, Denver’s Louie Byrd wants to make history by skipping class. Byrd this week will attempt to become the first fighter to win four National Golden Gloves titles in as many weight divisions.
Byrd, already a three-time Gloves champion at 106, 108 and 112 pounds, started his flight through the 114-pound division at the 88th edition of the historic tournament in Indianapolis.
If Byrd succeeds, he will become the first fighter to complete the four-division run. On Tuesday, he won a first-round bout by decision over California’s Emilio Sanchez.
“I just wanted a bigger challenge,” the 20-year-old Byrd said this week from Indianapolis. “At the lower weights, I wasn’t seeing anybody who would be a problem. I see a few people at 114 who will give me some game.”
Byrd pointed to South Texas’ Adam Lopez and Nevada’s Oscar Vasquez as standouts at 114. Byrd’s next bout likely will be Thursday.
Championship rounds will be held Saturday.
Missing from 114 is Cincinnati’s Rau’shee Warren, the defending Gloves champion at the weight and a former world amateur champ and U.S. Olympic team flyweight at Beijing.
“He’s a great fighter,” Byrd said, “but if he were here, I wouldn’t lose any sleep.”
Byrd earned a berth in the national tournament after winning the Colorado Golden Gloves in March, and after defeating New Mexico’s Eric Gonzales at the regional tournament.
“That was a good fight for him, because he had a kid who came straight at him and didn’t back down,” said Jeff Byrd, Louie’s father and coach. “Right now, for him, it’s about doing something at Gloves that nobody has done before.”
Byrd last fought this month for Team USA at 108 pounds, winning a light flyweight bout against Francisco Alonso Melendez in a dual match against the Mexican national team.
“The weight isn’t an issue,” Byrd said. “I feel good. I’m ready.”
Nick Groke: 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com
