Newark Boxer Among Ironbound Fighters Headed to National Golden Gloves

NEWARK — Keith J. Colon, a 21-year-old psychology major at Rutgers University, is headed to the National Golden Gloves Competition in Detroit this weekend.

The trip follows his success in the 125-pound category at the New Jersey Golden Gloves Championship on March 23.

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“Overall, it was a great experience,” Colon said. “I did what I had to do.”

Colon, a Newark resident who trains at Ironbound Boxing, said he went up against two opponents within two weeks of each other. While the wins were expected, Colon said, his first opponent was formidable.

“He was a decent fighter,” he said. “I was just a better man that night. I was the sharper opponent, the faster opponent, the smarter opponent in the ring, and it showed.”

In the second match, Colon said, he went up against a fast southpaw, but he used his range, speed and experience to win.

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“I train hard. I work hard so, that being said, it showed in the ring, and I was able to take over the fight quickly,” Colon said.

Also competing from Ironbound Boxing was Jasai Kirkpatrick, of Long Branch, who fought in the 147-pound category, and Roselle''s Chakor Claiborne, who won in the 139-pound category. In addition, North Bergen resident Alexander Collado from Lyndhurst Boxing Gym trained and competed with them.

Along with Claiborne and Collado, Colon advanced to the National Golden Gloves, which are set for Monday in Detroit. Colon has been preparing.

“I just train hard, make sure that I’m doing everything that I’m supposed to be doing, make sure that I’m not cutting corners,” he said. “I’m filling holes in my game. I’m working on my weaknesses so that when fight times comes, I can be the best version of myself.”

Ironbound Boxing coach Keith Colon, father of Keith J. Colon, said he has high hopes for his son, a graduate of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark.

Coach Colon, who coaches with Muhammad Abdul-Salaam at the Ironbound gym, wants to show people that good can come out of Newark.

“Kids come right out of here, out of the neighborhood that are actually doing positive things,” the elder Colon said.

He's looking forward to his fighters winning in Detroit.

“It’s exciting,” Coach Colon said. “Only the best of the best get there. From every state comes the best of them and the best of those are the ones that win.”

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