Golden Gloves continues run at the Orleans

Dean Juipe

Thursday, May 29, 2003 | 9:51 a.m.

The crowd counts have been low for the early rounds but are expected to build as the national Golden Gloves Championships continue their six-night run at the Orleans Arena.

The tournament concludes Saturday, with champions to be crowned in 11 weight classes.

Wednesday night, 53 fights were held as the field continues to be pared.

"This is a hot time for us," said Golden Gloves executive director Jim Beasley, who works out of the national organization's home office in Hutchinson, Kansas.

Las Vegas landed the national tournament when the Nevada chapter placed the winning bid.

"We don't have a (financial) stake in the promotion," Beasley said. "But Las Vegas is a key community for us and at $10 a ticket the fans can see a number of young fighters who will be future Olympians."

Golden Gloves champions receive an automatic bid to the U.S. Olympic Trials, as do the champions from six other events and an at-large selectee.

Two fighters to keep an eye on as the tournament continues are Wes Ferguson of Flint, Mich., and Ray Lampkin Jr. of Washington. Both are said to be excellent professional prospects.

"You can't help but have favorites," Beasley said of the many participants. "Let's just say some are more infamous than others."

He added that Golden Gloves is doing well from a financial standpoint.

"In fact, we're healthier than most national organizations," he said. "There's been a lot of water under the bridge, but I see us as pretty healthy."