Indiana Black Expo and Golden Gloves will showcase the best of the best in amateur boxing at the Midwest Invitational Boxing Showcase on July 15–16, part of IBE’s annual Summer Celebration.
Champions from all weight classes, representing Indiana Golden Gloves and Ohio Golden Gloves, will square off beginning at noon on July 15 in Hall G at the Indiana Convention Center.
Spectators will want to keep an eye out for Indianapolis residents Austin Manning and Saleto Henderson, two rising stars beginning to make names for themselves on the national stage.
Manning is this year’s 2017 Indiana Golden Gloves “Mr. Golden Glove,” a designation reserved for the most outstanding boxer. The 123-pounder of the Team Achieve boxing gym has an impressive 44-fight resume under his belt since joining the sport in 2012. Manning won the 2016 Ringside World Tournament Championship in Kansas City, Missouri and the 2016 Toyota Park Summer Invitational in Atlanta, among other victories.
Manning, a resident of Indianapolis’ west side and a 2017 graduate of Pike High School, attributes his success to having a clear vision and strong work ethic. He said being world champ is the dream, but above all else, he strives to be a great person who impacts others’ lives.
Henderson, a 17-year-old junior at Lawrence Central High School, fights out of Sarge Johnson Boxing Club at Washington Park. He has a 41-10 amateur record and was the 2016 Indiana Golden Gloves 114-pound Open Class Champion, 2013 Paul Murphy Boxing Tournament Champion and the 2011 National PAL quarterfinalist.
Henderson, who grew up in Gary, Indiana, credits boxing with changing the course of his life, introducing discipline and fortitude into his daily habits.
Henderson hones his craft under the guidance of coach Bob Chambers, a 20-year staple of the Indianapolis boxing scene, who’s known for building world-class champions, including J.B. Williamson, Marcus McIntyre and Lamon Brewster.
Indiana Golden Gloves is a 90-year-old organization that promotes amateur boxing across the state of Indiana and gives kids the opportunity for life achievements. There are 30 Golden Gloves franchises across the United States.
