Jeff Emmett made the most of his first and last shot at a Golden Gloves title.
Emmett earned a unanimous decision against Vancouver’s Josh Donato in the 75-kilogram final Friday at the BC Golden Gloves Tournament in Quesnel.
Emmett, who represented the Nelson Boxing Club along with Bohdi Cartland, dominated the three-round bout fought.
“I trained so hard. I had my gameplan down,” said Emmett. “I just came out and did what I do best, which is jab and keep it under control. When I started landing some other shots he was game and he was coming at me the whole time. I just managed to keep him at bay and do my best. It worked out for me.”
The fight was Emmett’s Golden Gloves debut and farewell. The 40-year-old won’t be able to compete in the open men’s 19 to 40 division, so he knew he had to make the most of the moment.
“I felt that pressure. I can’t come back next year and win, this is my chance. I’ve been training with [coach Jesse Pineiro] for nine years and this was it, this was the pinnacle of it. I stepped up and made it happen.”
Emmett, who also fought Quesnel’s James Mott in an exhibition Saturday, impressed Pineiro, who said his student didn’t look fazed against Donato.
“Jeff controlled the fight really well,” said Pineiro. “The guy was never really in the fight. He had a couple moments where he tried to come back and threw desperation left hooks and landed some stuff but Jeff just shrugged it off. It was never really in doubt I don’t think. It was a pretty dominant fight.”
Cartland, meanwhile, also made his Golden Gloves debut. He faced Quesnel’s Curtis Lobsinger in the 90-kg final, but a right cross in the first round led to a defeat by TKO.
The result didn’t bother Cartland, who was just happy to take part in the event. The trip was made possible after the club held its Fight Night Fundraiser last month.
“It was awesome, dude,” said Cartland. “I feel like if he hadn’t gotten me with that punch, which was a nice punch, it knocked me down, I would have kept going. I wanted to. I got back up, wanted to keep going, ref said no. I had a lot of fun. Guy was bigger than me, stronger than me. …
“It was an awesome experience. I had so much fun this weekend.”
