Three locals head to Golden Gloves national tourney

Jamey Swanson figures he always can drive a garbage truck. But he’s not always going to be able to be a Golden Gloves boxing champion.

The 27-year-old Las Vegan is in Salt Lake City for the Golden Gloves national tournament, which begins Monday and runs through Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

Swanson, who will compete in the 165-pound weight division, is one of three Southern Nevada boxers in the field along with Las Vegas’ Marco Magdaleno, who is in the 152-pound class, and Mesquite’s Elmer Rivera, who will fight at 201 pounds.

A fourth local fighter, super heavyweight J’Von Wallace, withdrew after suffering an injury in training in which he was cut and required eight stitches.

“There’s a lot of pressure,” said Swanson, a Western High School graduate and former Marines reservist who works for Republic Services and made it to the quarterfinals of last year’s Golden Gloves quarterfinals in Cincinnati. “I’ve got to use my vacation for this tournament, so I need to win.”

Swanson said his success last year gave him motivation to return to the Golden Gloves and keep his professional aspirations on temporary hold. He plans to turn pro in the next couple of months.

“I know I’m not getting any younger, so my time is now,” he said. “But last year let me know that with more hard work I can do even better. So I stepped up my training and focusing on my footwork and putting my combinations together. I think I’m a better fighter this time, and I want to be on that (medal) podium.”

So does Magdaleno, the younger brother of pro fighters Diego and Jessie, who, like Swanson, has been training at Barry’s Boxing for the Golden Gloves.

“I know this is my first nationals, and I know there’s a lot of pressure on me because of my brothers,” the 17-year-old Clark High School junior said. “But boxing’s in my family’s blood, and this is about doing something for me and making my own name.”

Marco Magdaleno isn’t letting Diego’s split from Pat Barry sidetrack his preparation for the Golden Gloves.

“I’m just focusing on what I need to do,” he said. “I’m going to be fighting some bigger guys than I’m used to, so I need to concentrate on that.”

Like Swanson, Magdaleno is looking to compete for a medal in Salt Lake City.

“I’m going to try and outbox my opponent and use my skills,” Magdaleno said. “If I could make it to the finals, that would be great. But I’m young. I’m just 17. No matter what happens, it will be a great learning experience for me.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.