Boca PAL boxers ready for Sunshine State Games

Published Jun 17th, 2008

By Mario Sarmento
SPORTS EDITOR

Five Boca Police Athletic League (PAL) boxers will face off against the best in the state in the Sunshine State Games this weekend in Lakeland.

Brian Smith, Christian Robles, Lawrence “B.T.” Newton, Alden Chodash and Jorge Rodriguez all have the opportunity to win their divisions at the event.

For Robles, who has been boxing at the PAL for about a year, this will be his first time at the event. The other four boxers have all been at the Games before.

“I feel really confident,” Robles said. “I have more experience along with it. I’ve faced bigger kids. I’ve experienced over the weight limit, under the weight limit.”

Boca PAL trainer Rick Broberg said Robles, who will fight in the 200-pound weight division, has been working hard and has improved mightily since he first joined the gym.

“He’s definitely got better skills,” he said, though Robles has been guilty of overeating at home to push his weight over the 200-pound mark. Still, Broberg added, “His training is great. He doesn’t cut any corners at all.”

Entering the two-day tournament, the Boca PAL boxers have been in good form, winning five of their last six bouts.

Smith, Rodriguez and Chodash won their three bouts last weekend in a show at Port St. Lucie. The previous weekend in Davie, Robles and Rodriguez won their bouts.

“We feel good, and well-conditioned,” Smith said.

Smith will fight in the 138-pound weight class, Rodriguez will be in the 106s, Newton in the 70s and Chodash in the 101s.

Smith and Rodriguez have both moved up one weight class for this event, but they say that shouldn’t matter when they step into the ring Saturday.

Chodash is expecting a rematch against a boxer he fought in the regionals at the Junior Olympics.

“I’m pretty sure I’m going to have (strong) opposition,” he said.

These bouts will give the boxers a chance to see some of the same competition they’ll face in the Platinum Gloves event next weekend in Orlando.