SAUGUS — Wednesday night, the Board of Selectmen honored local boxer Sam LoRusso for his recent achievements, including becoming the 165-pound Central New England Golden Gloves champion and the All-New England Golden Gloves champion.
LoRusso noted that he had a lot of fun competing and that it had been a quick turnaround from high school wrestling.
Selectman Mike Serino congratulated LoRusso’s accomplishments not only as a boxer, but also his wrestling in high school.
Selectman Frank Federico asked LoRusso how often he trains to get to where he is, and LoRusso said that he trains typically five days a week and two to three hours a day.
“That’s a large chunk of your life,” Federico said. “That takes dedication and a lot of work. You should be very proud of yourself.”
Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini, who grew up with LoRusso’s father, joked that he heard they were supposed to refer to him as “The Champion” now.
“Your dad, your family, (there’s) no surprise that you are the champ because competitiveness runs deep in your blood… You are definitely a chip off the old block, and we’re proud of you as an individual, as a Saugonian,” Cicolini said.
He continued that seeing LoRusso transition from a wrestling mat to a boxing ring is “truly an amazing feat.”
Selectmen Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano said that he had watched LoRusso’s fight for the championship multiple times.
“That kid you fought was very aggressive… I just kept watching it again like, ‘This is unbelievable,’ because he was a big boy too… Congratulations,” he said.
Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta told LoRossu that the whole town was proud of his accomplishments and were thrilled to have him there before handing him a citation from the Board.
