Four Kaua‘i Police Activities League boxers won their respective matches, but all six made favorable impressions with officials at a tournament held at the Yeshua Outreach Center on the Big Island last weekend. Neno Costales, fighting in the 12-year-old, 80-pound
Four Kaua‘i Police Activities League boxers won their respective matches, but all six made favorable impressions with officials at a tournament held at the Yeshua Outreach Center on the Big Island last weekend.
Neno Costales, fighting in the 12-year-old, 80-pound division, beat Kalamaku‘okealopali Keeno of the East O‘ahu Boxing Club in a unanimous decision.
Jon-Anthony “Kai Boy” Reyes, battling in the 155-pound Open Adult division made a successful debut, winning a unanimous decision behind his superior punching power and conditioning, said Kaua‘i PAL coordinator Mark Ozaki, in an e-mail.
Kainoa Simao, fighting in the 12-year-old, 85-pound class, beat Earl-Jackson Kahaawai out of the Yeshua Boxing Club in a one-sided unanimous decision.
“Simao dominated every part of the bout,” Ozaki said. “He looked so impressive that he’s being picked as the early favorite to win the state championship title next year by coaches statewide.”
In his decision, Simao earned the Junior Division Sportsmanship Trophy for his impressive, but humble victory.
Christopher Honorato, fighting in the 160-pound Open Adult class, took a third-round knockout over Noah Bernard of the Pearlside O‘ahu Boxing Club.
“Honorato looked very strong and showed good movement and punching power,” Ozaki said. “He dominated the first and second rounds, scoring standing-eight counts in each of the rounds.”
That set the stage for the third round where Ozaki said he told Honorato to be cautious and “just box.”
“But coach, I ready to knock him out,” Honorato said.
Ozaki told the boxer, “OK then, keep your hands up and knock him out.”
Less than a minute later, Honorato landed a right to Bernard’s solar plexus and followed with a right cross to the chin, dropping Bernard to the canvas and forcing the referee to stop the fight.
Ozaki said Honorato leaves to serve in the United States Army in a few weeks and is hopeful the aspiring boxer will continue fighting on the All-Army Boxing Team.
Hazzard McDougal, fighting in the 14-year-old, 125-pound division, dropped against Hiapo McCandles of the East O‘ahu Boxing Club.
In that match, Ozaki said McDougal had a one-year and 10-pound disadvantage, demonstrated heart and courage before dropping the close three-round decision.
Ha‘aheokona Graycochea, fighting in the 150-pound Open Adult Division, challenged Conrad Martin of the AP Hilo Boxing Club and appeared to dominate at least 90 percent of the three-round bout with strong left jabs and jackhammer-like straight rights. Despite that performance, Graycochea came up on the short end of a split decision.
“I thought we were losing the fight,” said Anthony Pagan, Martin’s coach, following the bout. “I told Conrad going into the last round that we need a knockout to win this fight. I was surprised we got the decision. That Kaua‘i guy is tough.”
Ozaki said the tournament promoters also thought Graycochea won the bout and were impressed with the boxer’s class and humility. That earned him the Open Division Sportsmanship Trophy.
“The K-PAL boxers showed tremendous improvements and have great potential,” said K-PAL boxing coach Dennis Bohner following the tournament. “We just need to keep training, keep trying to get better.”
This was the second tournament where K-PAL boxers participated.
“I think the boxers have great potential,” Ozaki said. “Not just in the ring, but outside in life as well. I’m proud of how the boxers performed, but I’m even more proud of the two sportsmanship awards. Out of 42 boxers to choose from, two of ours were selected. Our boxers showed real class, and to me, that’s what K-PAL is all about.”
