Michael Reed, Danny Kelly Lose In National Golden Gloves

From left: Michael Reed, Danny Kelly, and Jerry Odom at the 2012 Golden Gloves Regionals last month

by Gautham Nagesh

The latest results from the National Golden Gloves tournament are a mixed bag for Washington-area fight fans: reigning 141-lb national champion Michael Reed of Dream Team Boxing fell in the quarterfinals to Preston Freeman of St. Louis by decision, while super-heavyweight Danny Kelly of Headbangers lost on points to Owen Minor. But four other DMV prospects advanced to the semifinals, including Jerry Odom and D'Mitrius Ballard of No Xcuse Gym.[[MORE]]

Odom moved on for the second straight year with a win over Iowa’s Gregory Sykes. After finishing as the runner-up last year, Jerry is this year’s favorite. Joining him in the semis is gym-mate Ballard, who advanced with a decision over Anthony Campbell of the Mid-South region. Landing a pair of fighters in the national semis of two of the most competitive weight divisions should only add to No Xcuse’s growing reputation as a producer of top amateur talent.

Another familiar name advancing to the semifinals at 152 lbs. is David “Day Day” Grayton of Headbangers, who advanced with a win over New York’s Patrick Day. Grayton is a staff favorite and won the national title in 2010 at the same weight. A southpaw banger with boxing ability, Day Day should be turning pro in the near future. We expect him to become one of the most exciting welterweight prospects on the East Coast

Rounding out the local contingent in the semifinals will be Gervonta Davis of Baltimore, who advanced at 123 with a decision over Joet Gonzalez of California. The West Coast fighters are always some of the toughest competition, but Davis is a slick southpaw with counterpunching skills. At just 17 years of age, we’ve had him tabbed since the local finals as the one to watch among this crowd.