LYNN — The City Council, Mayor Jared Nicholson, and State Sen. Brendan Crighton honored local boxers and coaches from Private Jewels Boxing Club Tuesday.
Four boxers from Lynn — Malik Johnson, Gabriel Mercedes, Gilbert Kabamba, and Ariel Palma — each received a citation for their “medal winning performance at the COPA Olímpica Boxing Tournament and proudly representing Lynn on an international level.”
Three coaches from Private Jewels Boxing Club — Thomas Clark, and Alex and Janet Sepulveda — each received a citation for their “outstanding coaching at the COPA Olímpica Boxing Tournament resulting in championship level victories.”
“They are the epitome of winning and bringing titles and championships through good sportsmanship to the City of Lynn,” City Councilor Brian P. LaPierre said.
“We’re very proud of you as a city on this international level and representing Lynn on the world stage,” LaPierre said to Mercedes and Palma, who were the two boxers present.
“We are incredibly proud… of the excellence that the Private Jewels team achieves in the ring, in their boxing capabilities and as well as the commitment they have to not only succeeding in the ring, but succeeding in the classroom and succeeding in life,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson cited his wrestling background growing up, and identified the similarities between the sports.
“When you’re in the boxing ring, there’s no one else,” Nicholson said. “It’s you and your opponent. And you learn a lot about accountability and the value of hard work.”
Crighton congratulated the team on behalf of the entire Lynn state delegation, which includes state representatives Jenny Armini, Dan Cahill, and Donald Wong, and incumbent State Rep. Sean Reid.
The boxers and coaches “exemplified” the “hard work, persistence, (and) grit” that the City of Lynn prides itself on, Crighton said.
