Document text
Bulldog boxing trio advance to nationals TACOMA, Wash . -- Medford's Bulldog Boxing Club sent five boxers into the finals of the USA Boxing Northwest Regional Championships and came away with three champions Saturday. Lionel Leon (119), Homero Gonzalez (147) and Sam Sleezer (201) of the Bulldog Club won titles and will advance to the USA Boxing National Tournament in Colorado Springs, Colo., Jan. 9-15 for boxers age 16-33. Leon, 19, stopped Jacob Gonzalez of Idaho in the second round of the three-round bout. "He (Leon) overpowered the guy," said Bulldog trainer Jim Pedrojetti. "He was just too strong. He used a lot of straight right hands." Sleezer defeated Joshua Durham of Idaho when the bout was stopped in the third round. Sleezer knocked Durham through the ropes and, after the boxer returned to the ring, Sleezer ended the fight with a blow to the throat. Homero Gonzalez, 16, outboxed Teo Medina of Idaho for the title. Bulldog stalwart Mike Wilson, a three-time junior national champion, dropped a close decision to Iga Flapping Eagle in the senior super-heavyweight division. The Bulldog's other loss came when Ricky Gallegos, 17, lost a 4-1 decision to Gabriel Flores of Washington. The Bulldog Club was narrowly edged out for the team title by Idaho. "We have more guys going to nationals than any other club in our region," said Pedrojetti. "We came so close to winning the team trophy I could taste it. It was a huge night for our program because we've never had that much success at the senior level." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.