Local boxer wins Golden Gloves title

Daniel Mendoza's glove is held up by the referee following his win over Yezion Cifuntes in the championship bout of a Golden Gloves Tournament in Kansas City, Mo., April 12. Mendoza trains under Rick Culler at the Ground Up Boxing Gym in Fort Scott. (Submitted photo)

A Fort Scott resident has won a Golden Gloves boxing title while another finished as a runner-up in a tournament held in Kansas City, Kan., recently.

Rick Culler, head coach go the Ground Up Boxing Gym, which is located at 1508 E. Wall, does not believe any Fort Scotian had won a Golden Gloves championship prior to Daniel Mendoza's win in Kansas City at a tournament held April 10-12.

Mendoza, 15, competed in the Novice 201-lb. Heavyweight division and stopped Yezion Cifuntes, fighting for the Heartland Boxing Club of Joplin, in 44 seconds of the third round of the championship bout via TKO to win the Greater Kansas City Golden Gloves Championship Belt.

Wade Wisely, 20, fought in the Novice 132-lb. Lightweight Division and made it to the championship finals, where he lost by decision to Alex Lewis of the Authentic Boxing Club of Kansas City, Mo.

Culler says that members of the Ground Up Boxing Club will be taking part in another event in Kansas City May 3.